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Heritage Program for Seniors at VCHS offers garden as a part of therapy

 

ORD, Neb. – The Heritage Program for Seniors at Valley County Health System (VCHS) is taking a different approach to stress and anxiety management with gardening as a part of therapy.

The Heritage Program for Seniors is an outpatient department of VCHS that provides mental and behavioral health services to individuals 55+ in central Nebraska.

Heritage employees collaborated with area businesses to build planter boxes where staff and clients have planted veggies, herbs and flowers. Supplies were donated by Shopko in Ord and Spelts Lumber in Burwell.  The boxes were built by, Kevin Hulinsky, husband of Heritage Tech, Cheryl Hulinsky, both of Burwell.  “Our staff and community members really came together to get this project going and we are grateful for their support,” Heritage Director, Riley Smith, LMPH, CMSW, says.  “Our clients have enjoyed every moment of the process.”

The clients are involved with all aspects of the garden.  They tend to the plants by watering, weeding and harvesting the vegetables and herbs. “There are a variety of benefits to gardening,” Smith says.  “We want to offer therapy to clients that is interactive and gives them a sense of gratitude and accomplishment.”  The clients get to enjoy eating the vegetables and herbs, as well as, use them in sensory exercises.

For more information about the Heritage program, contact 308.728.4340.

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Pictured: (l to r) Macaela Haas, PLMHP; Amber Schulenburg, Heritage Tech; Ruth Jones,PLMHP, PCMSW; Riley Smith, LMPH, CMSW; Emily Feese, Graduate Intern; Cheryl Hulinsky, Heritage Tech