TendGarden Therapy for Assisted Living
The garden doesn't care about your diagnosis.
"It only asks that you show up, put your hands in, and wait."
Their Words
Fifteen small stories.
One undeniable argument.
I hadn't touched dirt in eleven years. My hands shook so badly I thought I'd embarrass myself. The first time I pressed a seed into that little pot, I cried. Not from sadness — I just remembered who I was.
Eleanor, 84
Memory Care Resident, Portland OR
"After eight weeks in the herb spiral program, Mrs. Kowalski's fine motor scores improved by 34%. More importantly — she started asking what day the sessions were. She hadn't asked about anything in months."
Dana Reeves, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist, Cedar Ridge
Watch: Ruth deadheads marigolds for the first time
My dad was a farmer in Nebraska for forty years. When he moved to the facility, something went quiet in him. The Tend program gave him back his hands. He talks about the tomatoes like they're old friends.
Michael Brennan
Family Member, Omaha NE
"The rosemary remembers you, even when you forget yourself."
James, 91
Assisted Living Resident
"We'd tried every activity vendor on the market. Bingo participation was 40%. First Tend session had 78% attendance. By week three, residents were coming early to check on their plants."
Priya Nair
Activity Director, Sunrise Gardens
The smell of warm earth in the morning. That's what got me. I'd forgotten that smell. It took me straight back to my mother's kitchen garden in Tennessee.
Loretta, 79
Resident, Willowbrook Manor
Watch: First planting day at Cedar Ridge
"I prescribe Tend the way I'd prescribe physical therapy. The purposeful movement, the sensory engagement, the social connection — it checks every box in my treatment plan."
Dr. Sandra Okafor
Geriatric Occupational Therapist
Start the Conversation
Bring a garden to your community.
Every Tend program begins with a conversation — not a pitch deck. Tell us about your people, your space, and your vision. We'll figure out the rest together.
- Raised cedar beds designed for seated or standing access
- Sensory herb spirals for residents with dementia or memory loss
- Guided planting sessions led by certified horticultural therapists
- Quarterly seasonal programming with full materials
Free Resource
The First Season
A Guide to Starting Garden Therapy
Not ready to commit? That's okay. This guide walks you through everything you need to start a small garden therapy program — space requirements, plant selection, accessibility considerations, and how to measure outcomes.