Photo caption: Kandace Assivero, Recreation Therapist, Integrated Stroke and Rehab and Medicine Inpatient, is helping seniors connect and thrive with interactive therapeutic horticulture activities in the garden.
Making exceptional patient and family experiences is one of the main areas of focus at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH).
Healing in a place where one feels respected, valued, and socially connected can be just as important as the medical care received. This is particularly vital for older adults who, on average, have the longest hospital stays — for many, the hospital becomes their short-term home.
At RVH, The Recreation Therapy team is creating an engaging environment for patients through innovative and hands-on programming like therapeutic horticulture.
The idea for the therapeutic horticulture program sprang from collaborative discussions amongst patients, their families and caregivers and RVH Recreation Therapists. The Recreation Therapy team, through fundraising efforts, were able to purchase their first raised garden bed in 2024 – making gardening accessible for older adult patients with complex needs.
“We develop our programming through an evidence-based, systematic process that looks at the latest clinical research and what’s currently being done in the field, making sure that our activities address one or more of the five domains of well-being: emotional, cognitive, physical, spiritual, social,” said Kandace Assivero, Recreation Therapist for the Integrated Stroke and Rehab and Medicine Inpatient units.
In March, Assivero had her groups start seedlings for early spring planting. In May, they planted coneflowers, petunias, rosemary and marigolds.
They also experimented with a vegetable garden, eventually harvesting peas, tomatoes, kale and cabbage. And, with their robust lavender crop, they made a specialty tea as well as herb posies.
“I’m really pleased with how our seniors have responded,” said Assivero. “The gardening project has gotten them outdoors where they get fully immersed in the activities. They take special pride in caring for the plants and seeing them thrive.”
RVH President and CEO Gail Hunt recently joined Assivero and a group of seniors to make bread using their harvested rosemary.
“Our patients and their families trust us with their health at the most critical times in their lives. And we know how important it is to care for the whole person — mind, body, and spirit,” said Hunt. “Engaging in creative and social activities like these fosters dignity, accomplishment, and a true sense of purpose for our senior patients.”
RVH’s Recreation Therapy team, including Behaviour Support Workers, a Behavioural Success Agent, and the hospital’s Elder Life Specialist, is passionate about their work which supports patients’ recovery, reduces isolation, and improves mood and cognition. Programs like gardening help seniors maintain their sense of identity and independence which leads to better health outcomes and quality of life.
It’s another example of how RVH is reimagining the patient experience. By treating everyone as a person first, patient second, RVH is building a better health care future for all Simcoe Muskoka residents.