Homestead Village: Thrive Where You Are

Photo courtesy of Homestead Village

Gardening and Nature at Homestead Village

Resident and (retired) Master Gardener, Linda Kay Pressley, has brought her love of gardening to Homestead Village by forming a new gardening group called “Soil for the Soul.” This dedicated group of residents spends one hour a month together learning the many joys and benefits of gardening. During one activity, they planted several container herb gardens to be used by the Homestead Village chef. This petite garden is located on the walls surrounding the patio just off the hallway leading to the Plow and Pineapple café. Residents can stop at the garden to smell the aromatic leaves of sage, oregano, rosemary and thyme! The herb garden was funded by a grant from the Homestead Auxiliary.

In another activity, the residents whimsically filled old shoes with flowers and succulents to explore creative repurposing. At holiday time, they fill the herb planters with beautiful greenery. The group enjoys fellowship and a shared love of the outdoors.

Another annual tradition is the Homestead Village Garden Tour. Homestead allows residents to enjoy planting and embellishing the gardens around their homes and the tour provides them with the opportunity to show off their work during a festive event that also features music and refreshments! During the 2021 garden tour, musical entertainment was provided by Seasons Celtic Band and Todd Fulginiti’s jazz group, the Hot Walkers Quintet. This lovely event is something that residents of all ages and abilities can enjoy!

At Rader Park, located on Homestead Village’s Apostle Way, residents can also rent garden plots for the summer to plant produce or flowers. Produce grown in the garden can be donated to the Seeds of Hope program, which is part of the adjacent Church of the Apostles Food Bank.

Linda Kay notes that, “As we age, we sometimes become more vulnerable to physical limitations, failing health and the emotional turmoil that accompanies these changes. Gardening blossoms as a welcome activity for independent seniors, as well as residents in assisted-living communities. Gardening increases physical activity, reduces pain, improves attention, reduces stress and offers venues for socialization.”

Overview

Type of Community

Continuing Care Retirement Community (Life Plan Community)

Range of Services

Residential Living, Apartments that are dual-licensed for Personal Care, Skilled Nursing Care, Rehabilitation Services and Home Care.

Residential Options

Cottages, villas, carriage homes, small and large apartments.

Volunteerism

Residents at Homestead Village log hundreds of hours of volunteer efforts ranging from serving with local nonprofits such as Schreiber Pediatric Center, the Samaritan Counseling Center, Advantage Lancaster and more! Opportunities are posted each month in the resident newsletter and opportunity app.