Inauguration of the San José Therapeutic Garden
- Publicado el 16.05.2018
- Escrito por Angel Fondon
This morning, we inaugurated a new Therapeutic Garden at the Pequeño Cottolengo in Cerrillos , offering residents the opportunity to connect with and benefit from nature. This garden is located within the home of the same name, where 45 adults and seniors with various mental and physical disabilities live. From now on, residents will have a safe, comfortable, and pleasant outdoor space where they can enjoy recreation, exercise, socialize, or relax surrounded by nature.
“This garden is designed with the well-being of our older siblings in mind. They always deserve the best, but even more so at this stage of their lives,” said Father Claudio Chávez, priest of the Pequeño Cottolengo in Santiago. Cristián Glenz, executive director of the Pequeño Cottolengo, stated that “this new garden joins other projects we are developing within the homes. We want these spaces to be attractive and stimulating places for our residents to fully develop their abilities, and we once again appreciate the support of the Ilumina Foundation and the Cosmos Foundation.”
The new San José Garden covers an area of 440 m2, with a pergola in its center for shelter from the summer sun, universally accessible paths for residents in wheelchairs, and railings and benches along its entire length to provide added safety for its users. Furthermore, like any healing and therapeutic garden, it will feature a variety of plant species that will ensure year-round greenery and color, emit different aromas, and attract birds and harmless insects. Additionally, a 100 m2 covered gallery with large windows has been built attached to the home so that residents can contemplate and visually connect with nature when the weather prevents them from going outside.
“We are very excited about all the activities that will take place in this Garden, which has been designed with respect and care for the needs of the residents of Hogar San José. It is a space that allows for therapies aimed at promoting personal autonomy and promoting active aging among residents in a natural setting,” said Ana Valenzuela of the Ilumina Foundation.
The design of the San José Garden includes areas suitable for physical and psychological therapies. Key aspects were also considered to promote active aging among residents, such as paths with a certain degree of incline to encourage physical activity during daily walks; spaces for individual and group contemplation; spaces that allow residents to socialize; and, of course, spaces for activities that promote their autonomy and quality of life.
Felipe Correa, project director of the Cosmos Foundation, said, “We are very pleased to contribute, once again, to improving the quality of life of so many people through the creation of spaces that foster connection with nature. The design of this particular garden will encourage and promote the development of active aging and the psychological, physical, and social benefits that this entails.”
The San José Garden is the product of a collaborative alliance between Pequeño Cottolengo, the Ilumina Foundation, and the Cosmos Foundation, with support from the Careno Foundation, the Amancay Foundation, and the San Francisco Nursery.