Care Outdoors Program

Adult Enrichment Centers is proud to be the first adult day health care organization in the country to achieve Leader Certification from Care Outdoors. This innovative program optimizes the therapeutic use of outdoor spaces to enhance the health and wellbeing of all ages, including people living with dementia, various disabilities, and mobility impairments.

Implemented in 2024 at our Renew Center in Fort Mill – which engages individuals with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s, or social isolation – members are now benefiting from two cutting-edge programs! Our Renew members also engage with our Montessori-style curriculum, which empowers self-directed activities that honor agency and individual choice in a highly-supportive environment. 

We are thrilled that our members are enjoying Care Outdoors and that the program is promoting opportunities for our on-staff wellness coaches and certified practitioners to slow down and connect in a real way.

About Care Outdoors

Care Outdoors was established by Monica Ann Eastway, an eco-gerontologist, healing arts professional, continuing education facilitator, and longtime advocate for older adults and their caregivers. An eco-gerontologist studies the relationship between aging and our environments, with a focus on the natural environment and how the nature experience and nature connectedness can promote health, wellbeing, and improve quality of life for older adults and all ages. 

With studies consistently showing the importance of outdoor activity, and the detrimental effects of being indoors for extended periods, the Care Outdoors Program is designed to:

• Reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation
• Inspire awe and gratitude
• Increase physical activity
• Foster connectedness and promote social inclusion
• Improve cognitive function and reduce stress
• Strengthen immunity and bolster digestion
• Improve sleep and hydration
• Generate joy, calm, pain reduction, and wellbeing

Natural Partners: AEC & Care Outdoors

To date, five AEC team members are Certified Care Outdoors Leaders! To earn the certification, members completed a six-module experiential learning intensive that included training and practical application of the evidence-based model. 

We are fortunate to have ample outdoor space at Renew that offers a tranquil setting with a variety of trees, offering plenty of shade and natural beauty. We also have been deliberate in bringing the outdoors inside with nature-inspired art and calming shades of green throughout the center. In the spring, we plan to create a cozy and relaxing patio area for members outside, and to take advantage of the outdoor venues and parks that are in close proximity to us.

Care Outdoors at Renew

Examples of how Care Outdoors has been implemented at Renew – or will be implemented once the winter weather is behind us – include: 

• Awe Walks in Nature
  We take outdoor walks where we focus on observing the beauty of nature, from trees and flowers to birds and other wildlife, encouraging mindfulness and reflection on what we see. Many of our members have shared how much they enjoy observing the changing seasons, noticing everything from the way the light hits the trees to the playful antics of nearby squirrels. They discuss cloud formations and the effects the sun has on our surroundings. 

• Sit Spot Meditation
  On colder days, we gather near a window to sit quietly and take in our natural surroundings. We engage in a meditative practice and discuss the sights and sounds we notice, fostering calm and connection to the environment.

• Virtual Cycles Through Nature
  On particularly chilly days, we take members on virtual cycling tours through scenic nature spots. This is a wonderful way to bring the outdoors to life when skies are gray.

• Window Rides
  During van rides, we make a point to observe the landscape as we drive. We discuss the passing wildlife, trees, and seasonal changes – it’s a fun, interactive way to stay connected to nature while on the move. 

• Gardening Projects
  We’ve planted flowers outside and are teaching members about the growing process. Planting and regularly tending to plants offers a sense of accomplishment and routine, engages the senses and encourages relaxation, fosters hands-on learning and a deeper connection to the natural world, and can stimulate memories. We look forward to doing more gardening in the spring. 

• Storytelling & Memory Sessions
  Nature-inspired prompts, such as discussing seasons, birds or flowers, serve as jumping-off points for members to share personal stories. This dedicated time for reminiscence stimulates cognitive recall and fosters important social interaction. 

• Animal Therapy
  Therapy animals play a role at all of our center locations! Interaction with animals can spark joy and create calming effects. Being intentional to host some of these visits outside can increase the level of member engagement.

• Art & Music
  Art sessions with a nature theme or that use natural materials – such as the birdfeeders members recently made from pinecones they collected – fosters creativity and relaxation in an outdoor setting. Listening to live or recorded music or playing simple instruments in the fresh air can be enjoyable and enriching, too.

• Social Events
  Celebrating holidays or seasonal events outdoors, like a summer ice cream social or pumpkin decorating in the fall, can enhance the social experience and provide a refreshing change of scenery.

• Bird & Wildlife Watching
  Bird feeders, plants that attract butterflies, and small water features encourage mindfulness and provide a calming activity. Binoculars and books about local wildlife enrich the experience at the center and are great tools to bring along on trips to nearby greenways and parks.

Our members truly value these moments of connection with nature – and our practitioners and wellness coaches have found it incredibly rewarding to not only hear how much they enjoy it but to also witness how it positively impacts their mood and wellbeing. We look forward to, in time, adding the Art of Care Outdoors to Thrive and the School of the Arts as well.

Interested in learning more about the important work we’re doing at Adult Enrichment Centers? Get in touch or schedule a tour! We’re here to help.