Willow Pond Senior Care is home to a hidden oasis filled with fluttering birds and the serenity of a secret garden. Under the guidance of Sarah Chandler, residents enjoy the art of bird watching, and you’re invited to join in.
When you step out the back door or peer out the kitchen window, you can see the natural beauty that surrounds you, which is exactly what Sarah Chandler, director of life enrichment at Willow Pond Senior Care, does for her residents.
Construction began and donations were collected for the “Backyard” project in early March 2024. On July 1, 2024, residents of Seasons (Memory Care) hosted their first “Breakfast and Bird Watching” event with participation from family, residents, and staff.
Residents enjoying their backyard. Sarah Chandler
“My goal is to help all residents achieve a better quality of life, whether that be through physical activity, arts education or simply watching the birds enjoy their breakfast,” Chandler said.
Bird watching, or “birding,” is a fun, easy recreational activity that can be enjoyed alone or in a group, making it perfect for seniors.
“This is a free, beneficial therapy that enhances memory, improves focus and lifts mood – especially beneficial for Seasons (Memory) residents,” Chandler continued.
Seasons Backyard is a charming “secret” garden currently tucked away in a fenced area on the Willow Pond grounds. It features walkways overlooking the pond, a gazebo with a swing, and a screened-in porch. The porch is decorated with seven bird feeders, bustling with birds in the mornings and evenings, and is surrounded by the property’s beautiful flowers and trees.
A small koi pond is home to local frogs whose evening serenades mix with the sounds of insects to create a relaxing symphony of nature.
The dining room and kitchen windows offer great views of the backyard, and some residents prefer to sit inside and get up close and personal with the birds at the feeders, flip through books, sing along and listen to stories. What’s certain is that the birds are safe and plentiful.
Cardinals (also known as lovebirds/redbirds) and their offspring are frequent visitors along with 10-15 other bird species that nest and feed in the area, including blue jays, black-capped chickadees, swallows (even with nesting babies!), mockingbirds, robins (seasonal) and the occasional wood thrush.
“In winter, with all the green leaves and red birds, it really is ‘picture-perfect,'” one resident said.
Willow Pond Senior Care welcomes people to share backyard ideas, visit and volunteer with residents who enjoy their backyards, and donate seeds, hummingbird feeders, flowers, and other items to enhance backyards.
“Our residents love having visitors drop in to have a tea or coffee, take part in an activity or watch the birds. Even the smallest moments spent with older people can have a huge impact on their quality of life – and your own,” Chandler concluded.
Bird watching is available on Mondays starting at 8:30 a.m. Willow Pond is located at 4344 Country Club Rd, Statesboro, GA 30458.
For more information, please contact Sarah Chandler, Director of Life Enrichment. [email protected] or 912-489-4774. For more information, visit Willow Pond Senior Care.
