Friendship Village Senior Living Community of Schaumburg Celebrates Abundant Gardens

Friendship Village senior living community in Schaumburg celebrated its abundant, lush gardens in a weeklong series of events. Residents in independent living, assisted living, memory support, and skilled care participated in fun, educational, musical, and food-related events in the community's gardens.

The health benefits of gardening are well known including but not limited to lowered stress, less risk of stroke or heart attack, and more. At Friendship Village, long-time horticulturists have the time, opportunity, and space to pursue their passion, while people also have the chance to try gardening as a potential new hobby. Residents, staff, and visitors all are able to enjoy the tremendous beauty of the campus gardens.

Last year, Friendship Village held a single day of garden-related activities. It was a great event, but not enough.

"Our goal is to get the residents outdoors and into the gardens throughout the entire building so that they can get fresh air and experience all the opportunities the gardens and the beautiful outdoors offer,"said Violet Babayan, lifestyles manager.

Activities included tours, scavenger hunts, guided meditation, flower arranging, garden-to-table demonstrations, luaus, and more. The programs were held throughout the many gardens on campus. These include the Roger Smith Memorial Garden with shuffleboard courts and a putting green, the Summergarden with reflection pools and waterfalls overlooking the Heron Pond, the Five Oaks and Village Square Gardens with koi ponds, the Secret Garden with a water feature, labyrinth, and pergola, and the Butterfly Garden with plants selected to attract and feed caterpillars and butterflies. There are 24 private garden beds for residents in independent living to grow flowers, plants and vegetables, and many also have gardens on their porches, terraces and patios. There are raised garden beds in common outdoor areas for residents in assisted living, memory support, and skilled care.

The weather was perfect for the weeklong celebration and residents had the opportunity to spend time in the gardens and enjoy the activities and camaraderie.

Friendship Village

Friendship Village is a leading Life Plan retirement community offering independent living garden homes and apartment homes, as well as assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing care, and short-term rehabilitation services. For 45 years, Friendship Village has been providing Chicago area seniors with exceptional retirement living options. For additional information, call 847/884-5110 or visit www.FriendshipVillage.org.