MOOSE JAW — As winter gives way to spring, seniors at Chateau St. Michael’s have been enjoying a variety of activities that foster social connection, engagement, and a sense of community.
One such event was a floral demonstration led by Evans Florist owner Tina Cousens, who visited the home for National Florist Day. Her visit brought colour, conversation, and a bit of creativity to residents eager for a taste of spring.
“(Chateau St. Michael’s) usually (has) about 25 or 30 people in there, and they enjoy it,” Cousens said. “They’re always amazed at how fast I can put something together. I talked to them about plants, and I know a lot of them… They’re all the parents of the people you grew up with, or the grandparents of the people you grew up with.”
During her demonstration, Cousens shared insights on floral design, selected different blooms, and discussed the unique varieties available today. For many residents, the event sparked memories of their own gardening experiences.
“They like flowers; they like gardens. They have all gardened. We talked about what kind of flowers they grew in their gardens and stuff like that,” she said.
The staff at Chateau St. Michael’s organizes year-round activities for its senior residents.
In February, residents at the home enjoyed a variety of activities aimed at fostering social interaction and engagement as part of regular programming. Notable events included a Bingo game led by students from Briercrest Christian Academy, and a Carousel Riders visited with live goats to give seniors a chance to reminisce about their past experiences on the farm.
Cousens has done similar floral demonstrations at several Moose Jaw senior homes, including previous visits to Chateau St. Michael’s, as well as Providence Place, West Park Crossing, and Pioneer Lodge. She noted that these visits offer a meaningful break from routine, providing both mental stimulation and social interaction.
“Seniors are always amazed at the variety and colours of flowers now and the different things that we get in, compared to what we used to get when they were buying flowers themselves,” she said.
“I usually bring flowers that they’ve never seen before, so they can see some of the weird stuff that we get in (nowadays).”
Cousens said she is willing to do demonstrations if a venue reaches out and helps co-ordinate the activity. She mentioned that if someone is interested, they can contact her for more information.
Evans Florist is located at 17 High Street West and can be reached at 306-692-1881.
As the weather grows warmer, Chateau St. Michael’s residents will soon be able to enjoy more time outdoors, but for now, these community-led activities continue to provide a warm and engaging way to stay connected.
Chateau St. Michael’s is located at 525 Seventh Avenue Southeast and can be reached at 306-693-2323. For more information about the home, visit ChateauStMichaels.com or find ‘Chateau St. Michael’s’ on Facebook.
