Cultivating Community and Connection Through Gardening

Senior living community residents and volunteers at St. Mark’s Millcreek prepare raised garden beds for planting.

Professional spiritual care extends far beyond traditional notions of religious observance when welcomed into the daily lives of seniors. It is about fostering community, combating isolation, and enhancing their overall quality of life.

This commitment is vividly demonstrated in the gifted chaplaincy of Rev. Barbara Novak, ECS Chaplain Manager at two low-income independent living senior care facilities that are owned by Episcopal Housing Services of Utah: St. Mark’s Towers and St. Mark’s Millcreek in Salt Lake City.

“I’ve learned that building connection in senior independent living communities comes in many different forms. When working with a diverse senior population with unique interests and cultural differences, spiritual care first involves listening to both the senior resident and facility staff needs. It includes truly hearing what brings meaning to their lives, and then being flexible and innovative to find ways to bring them together.

Each community is unique in what works for them, and their needs shift by the season, month, and sometimes day. It is rewarding to see community develop as we live, learn, and grow together.”

Rev. Barbara Novak

ECS Chaplain Manager

Recognizing the challenges of isolation and the desire for enriched living, Chaplain Barbara dedicates her efforts to creating a wide variety of activities and engagement opportunities for residents to connect, feel a sense of belonging, and experience genuine care. The activities also provides Chaplain Barbara with opportunities to learn more about each senior resident, to connect one-one for support when needed, and to help build community and support for one another.

Holistic Healing Through Gardening

A prime example of this holistic approach to spiritual care is chaplain support for the installation of garden beds at St. Mark’s Millcreek. After rolling up their sleeves and working side-by-side with residents in 2024, Chaplain Barbara and Chaplain Resident Zach Plants (seen below) hard work has paid off, and the gardens have become a vibrant hub of community connection.

This year, residents cultivated the beds early in the season, eagerly anticipating a bountiful harvest. Chaplain Barbara and facility staff provide initial planting assistance in the spring, after which residents take ownership of tending to the gardens throughout the growing season.

Resident Zach Plants helping prepare garden beds at St. Mark’s Millcreek Senior Living Community

The gardens contribute to independent living by offering residents the opportunity to supplement their produce expenses and contribute to communal meals. Beyond these practical benefits, gardening instills a sense of ownership, encourages creativity, and prompts residents to learn new gardening techniques.

This engagement provides vital mental and emotional enrichment, directly elevating their quality of life. The gardens have also fostered increased social interaction, as many residents, even those who don't actively garden, enjoy spending time there and keeping an eye on the growth, thereby strengthening the sense of community and overall well-being.

The positive impact of the gardens has also resonated with facility staff. In response to residents' requests for raised garden beds to accommodate those with limited physical abilities, a facility staff member generously volunteered his time and skills to build the accessible structures.

National Senior Citizen’s Day

Summer brings another exciting opportunity create community–August 21 is National Senior Citizen’s Day. Episcopal Housing Services of Utah, in collaboration with ECS, Chaplain Barbara, dedicated facility staff, and a team of volunteers, is planning a day filled with delicious food, engaging games, and a profound opportunity to celebrate and recognize the senior residents.

A particularly heartwarming aspect of the day will be inviting residents to acknowledge and celebrate each other, further strengthening the bonds of community and mutual appreciation within these thriving senior living environments.