Horticulture Therapy Blossoms at LSS

An innovative Horticulture Therapy program is blooming at LSS thanks to Briley Tanner, Lifestyle Enrichment Coordinator at Concordia Village, an LSS Life Plan Community in Springfield, IL. Horticulture Therapy is proven to improve mood, reduce stress, and promote physical and mental wellbeing.

When Briley joined the Concordia Village team in 2022, she knew that she wanted to establish a horticulture program. In January 2023, she traveled to Southern California to learn more about horticulture. After six months of intensive learning, Briley returned to LSS ready to bring her horticulture dreams to life with the residents!

“My experience in California has really set me up for great success here and it feels good to utilize the tools I learned and apply them at Concordia Village,” said Briley.

Horticulture therapy is not just a passion of Briley’s, but a positive experience for all involved. “Horticulture helps anyone emotionally, socially, physically, and cognitively,” said Briley. “It’s not just gardening. It can really offer an overall health and wellness factor.”

Briley has received significant support in launching this program at Concordia Village. “My vision of bringing therapeutic horticulture to LSS has always been supported. My directors and team members have been advocating for me,” said Briley. “I was able to share the magic of horticulture and show how it positively impacts residents.”

In addition to team member support, Briley has garnered support from the Springfield community. She’s partnered with Greenview Nursery, who donated plants, and Lowe’s, who donated garden boxes for the residents. The Washington Park Botanical Gardens also collaborates with the community, offering tours and sensory activities for the residents.

Residents’ family members have provided a great deal of support, too. “Residents’ family members are super excited about this, they even help during activities,” said Briley. “They’ve seen their family member participate and engage, so we have their support.”

Briley recently held a training session about horticulture therapy activities for team members across LSS. She taught them about various horticulture therapy activities, gave a tour of Concordia Village courtyards, and led hands-on activities with the residents. Team members learned about the positive impact these activities have on residents and heard directly from the residents themselves.

Tamariane Smith, Lifestyle Enrichment Coordinator at Laclede Groves, an LSS Life Plan Community in Webster Groves, MO, was inspired after seeing how much residents loved the activities. Working with residents in Memory Support at Laclede Groves, Tamariane had received requests for garden-based activities. She was excited to attend Briley’s course to learn how to incorporate horticulture at Laclede Groves.

“It was fulfilling to see the looks on the resident’s faces and how much they enjoyed the gardening activities,” said Tamariane.

After attending the course, Tamariane collaborated with the Laclede Groves team to acquire the supplies needed to start horticulture activities, such as garden beds and various plants.

“It’s going to make them feel appreciated and give them something to look forward to,” said Tamariane. “The residents are already excited!”

Briley’s efforts have enabled team members, residents, and families to “grow together” – an LSS core value.