Delighting All the Senses
August 20, 2024 | Events, Health & Wellness, Kline Galland Home
Celebrating Our Quint Family Sensory Garden
At Kline Galland, we believe that providing outstanding senior care means creating environments that stimulate the senses and provide therapeutic experiences. Our beautiful new sensory garden represents our most recent investment in this aspect of senior care and was made possible by the gracious Quint Family.
The power of togetherness
With the generous support of the Quint family, we were able to construct this exceptional space, which now allows our community of residents, patients, staff, and families to engage in a deeper relationship with nature.
Earlier this month, we honored the Quint Family as part of a dedication event that included moving speeches, uplifting music, and wonderful food. It was a celebration of community, care, and the power of philanthropy.
“After spending three generations visiting loved ones at the Kline Galland Home, the opportunity for us to name the Sensory Garden in honor of our parents and grandparents was a wonderful way for the Quint family to leave a legacy to be used by future generations.” said Brian and Nancy Quint.
The Quint Family Sensory Garden at Kline Galland is a courtyard space designed by Professor Daniel Winterbottom and his students from UWLA. For over 20 weeks, they worked to create a space that not only serves as a beautiful oasis but also as an environment that is tailored to the needs of our senior residents.
“We were honored to work with the amazing group of faculty and students at the University of Washington School of Landscape Architecture. They clearly grasped the impact of our outdoor spaces for use by Residents, Families and Staff alike.”
-Brian Quint
Thoughtfully designed with input from Kline Galland’s community, the sensory garden addresses the physical, emotional, and social needs of those it serves. A variety of elements, including fragrant plants, tactile surfaces, and soothing sounds, engage individuals. From furniture design and graphic panels to artistic lighting and crafted masonry, each element has a purpose. Even the plants and flowers, like Solomon’s Seal and Bleeding Heart, were selected based on historical use, medicinal qualities, and spiritual affinity.
“The Sensory Garden was designed to offer our residents a space where they can engage with nature in a meaningful way. We focused on incorporating elements that appeal to sight, touch, and smell to create a calming and enjoyable environment,” says Min An, Kline Galland’s Chief Operations Officer, who oversaw the architecture for this project.
What is a sensory garden?
A sensory garden is a thoughtfully designed outdoor space that engages all five senses—sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. These gardens can help everyone to age healthily. Engaging all the senses helps our brains build new neural connections; this neuroplasticity promotes brain healing, learning, and adapting, and can delay cognitive decline.
Specific ways that sensory gardens are good for seniors include:
- Memory stimulation: The scents and sights in the garden can bring back memories, especially for those individuals with dementia.
- Stress reduction: The calming environment of nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Physical activity: Gardens encourage gentle physical activity, such as walking along the pathways, watering plants, or just touching the leaves.
Ways to enjoy a sensory garden
- Take a mindful walk. Stroll through the garden, paying attention to the colors, textures, and sounds around you. This mindful activity can help clear the mind, reduce stress, and increase feelings of well-being.
- Explore your senses. Touch the different textures of the plants, listen to the rustling leaves, smell the fragrances of herbs and flowers. This hands-on exploration can help stimulate memories and cognitive function.
- Relax and reflect. Find a quiet spot in the garden to sit and pay attention to the environment around you. Taking time to relax in nature can enhance your mood and bring peace to your day.
The Quint Family Sensory Garden is more than just a beautiful space—it’s a place where our residents and loved ones can connect with nature, stimulate their senses, and enjoy the many physical and mental health benefits that come with spending time outdoors. We are proud of this new addition to our community and grateful for the continued partnership with UWLA. Together, we are making the future better for everyone at Kline Galland.
Brian Quint has been a long-time member of the Kline Galland Board of Directors and has been a driving force behind the success of the organization. Brian has been involved with Kline Galland since 1998, including acting as Board Chair from 2016-2018 and currently serving as Chair of our Development Committee. Along with his wife Nancy, Brian maintains an active role in Kline Galland, and we are grateful to the Quint Family for their time and energy. Without support from community members like them, the exceptional care and experiences we provide to our residents would be impossible.
If you would like to learn more about how you can make a difference or get involved, please visit:
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Sources: AARP; UWLA; Seattle Times; NHS Forest;
