A Safe Space to Breathe
By Shannon Braun, Director of the ERS Center for Memory Support & Inclusion
I am the Director of the ERS Center for Memory Support & Inclusion. We provide education, support and social programming for people with dementia and their care partners. I have had the delight of partnering with the Civic Garden Center (CGC) for the last two years for a special program called Nurturing the Mind.
In the summer of 2023, I was looking to expand and diversify the social programs we offer in the community. Our group had previously found joyful success with art museum visits and trips to the Cincinnati Zoo. Recognizing the unique benefits of nature on cognitive health, I reached out to CGC Executive Director Karen Kahle to see if a partnership with CGC would be possible. She immediately put me in touch with Mary and Stephanie and we brainstormed ideas for how we could engage folks with dementia in a meaningful way. From the start, I was impressed with how quickly they understood the nuanced needs of our special population and the creative way they approached finding themes and activities.
I was invited to provide dementia training for CGC staff, and in the fall of 2023, we hosted our first Nurturing the Mind program. Since then, we have enjoyed a six-week series each spring and fall. The program is enriching, informative and consistent. When we arrive, Stephanie ensures the group is greeted with refreshments and a warm welcome. We take time to gather and socialize, and then we are treated to a presentation on wide-ranging topics. We have learned about the ecology of New Zealand, the migration of the Monarch butterfly and the cultural traditions of Japan, to name a few. The sessions have been generously and enthusiastically taught by various staff, volunteers, interns and board members. Afterward, we are led in a unique, interactive and hands-on planting or art-making activity. The participants can apply what they’ve learned while engaging in self-expression—an ever-more-valuable gift amid the loss of language and cognition they face.
There is growing research and understanding that time spent in nature has tangible benefits for people living with dementia. Gardens stimulate the senses, evoke memories and foster moments of clarity and joy. The sights, sounds and textures of nature provide gentle stimulation that can spark conversation, memory recall and emotional engagement. For individuals with dementia, who often live in a world that feels increasingly unfamiliar or confusing, nature can offer a sense of continuity and orientation. A blooming flower, a familiar scent or the warmth of the sun can evoke comfort and familiarity when words fail. The garden becomes a non-verbal conversation partner—always present, always responsive.
When I seek out community partners to host programs like Nurturing the Mind, a safe and comfortable space is paramount. The CGC is the dream. The staff have embraced the unpredictability that comes with serving people in varying stages of cognitive loss, and they’ve understood the powerful role that their facilitation plays in the cherished respite for the caregivers. Through their dedication and charm, they have developed a program that supports wellness, reduces stress and fosters connection—between individuals and nature as well as each other.
I love singing the praises of our local Cincinnati arts and nature organizations, particularly the ones who adapt and tweak the work they do every day in order to make it more accessible to those who need a special touch. I count the CGC among the very best our city has to offer. At the core, the CGC facilitates connection, a vital component of brain health for all of us. It offers a space to breathe, reflect and find moments of peace. It is a reminder that even in the face of loss and decline, life offers beauty and purpose. With gratitude, I look forward to continuing this special partnership and nurturing more minds.
At the CGC, we believe everyone deserves to have a relationship with the natural world, and we do our best to facilitate that. Alongside our public-facing programs, we offer many behind-the-scenes opportunities tailored to specific groups. Your financial support helps us bring our CGC magic to all kinds of groups around Cincinnati. Donate today!