UW Magazine: Why we walk

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We were bipedal before we were human. But science still has much to explore about how we evolved—body and brain—to be walkers.

 

The benefits of walking include healthy aging and extend beyond the body to the brain—playing a role in staving off cognitive decline. “Research shows that the earlier we start walking, the better our chances are for healthy aging,” says Carolyn Parsey, a neuropsychologist at UW Medicine’s Memory and Brain Wellness Center [Nature and Health Steering Committee]. But “starting any time will improve your health.”

Illustratration of people walking on a trail outside within a forest setting
Illustration by James Yamasaki

Memory and Brain Wellness Center: A Memory Garden is Growing

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Inspired by the continuing interest in nature and garden experiences in our community, the Memory and Brain Wellness Center is creating a memory garden for people living with dementia. This garden will be located at the Memory Hub, located beside the Frye Art Museum. The botanical garden is uniquely designed to enhance the lives of people living with dementia, as well as provide a relaxing, restorative space for all. The garden will serve as a spot for drop-in gardening, relaxation, and nature-based activities, such as horticultural therapy.

The garden design process is ongoing and incorporates feedback from community members living with memory loss and care partners, as well as lessons learned from the Garden Discovery Walks program of the MBWC/Seattle Parks and Recreation and a visit to our friends at the Portland Memory Garden.

TEAM

Genevieve Wanucha, MS, Memory Hub Green Space Project Lead, MBWC

Laura Rumpf, HTR, Healing Garden Consultant

Margaret (Peach) Jack, MA, CC, GRS, HTS, Landscape Designer and Therapeutic Horticulturalist

Marigrace Becker, MSW, Program Manager of Community Education and Impact, MBWC

INTERESTED

  • The memory garden team is interested in hearing from individuals, home gardeners, businesses, or organizations who may be able to donate certain perennial plants and herbs, compost, or mulch. Please email gwanucha@uw.edu.
  • To sign up for occasional updates about new and ongoing volunteer gardening and garden maintenance opportunities, please email gwanucha@uw.edu.
  • Financial donations will help support the ongoing development of the healing garden. For donation inquiries, please contact mbecker1@uw.edu.

Check out their Garden Discovery Walks!