Valparaiso | St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center board members, volunteers and staff marked the official opening of its Serenity Garden at a ribbon-cutting party.
“We appreciate having the opportunity to showcase this exceptional space to community members as well as highlight how it helps our clients who have Alzheimer’s or dementia,” said St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center Director Barb Kubiszak. “This unique outdoor environment will hopefully allow our clients to find peaceful moments when they face the challenges of the disease, including anxiety. It is a safe and secure outlet for them to enjoy the sunshine and connect to nature.”
There are sheltered sitting areas, including a gazebo, putting green, garden, water feature, shade trees, plants, musical elements and mosaic posts that were created and donated by members of Tri Kappa-Iota Chapter in Valparaiso.
Terri Dickus, activity director at St. Agnes, sees the Serenity Garden as the realization of a long-time aspiration.
“It’s been a dream of mine for 21 years – that’s how long I have been at St. Agnes,” she said. “It’s been something that I wanted, hoped for, wish for and prayed for - all of those years. It’s amazing and even more than I could have imagined.”
Dickus looks forward to planning activities to make use of this special spot.
“We can have group activities in one of our three covered areas or if they just want to sit on the porch and play a game of checkers, they can,” she said. “They can enjoy the outdoors and nature or meander through the garden. There is a myriad of things to do and see.”
St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center offers a nurturing and structured environment for adults who are facing Alzheimer’s or dementia or who are not able to remain at home alone. St. Agnes provides health services, activities, exercise classes, daily chores and a comforting space while allowing family members to work or run errands during day hours Monday through Friday. For more information, visit www.stagnescentervalpo.org.
Photos: The community came together to celebrate St. Agnes’ Serenity Garden at a ribbon-cutting party.