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By the third and final session I think that we were extremely efficient in the way that we ran the group. Kaleigh, Brooke, and I were able to organize and lay out all the ingredients needed for each recipe before they got there which mad it very easy to start the cooking process. The two and half hour time period was perfect and we were able to complete everything by 12:30.

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Overall, I think that this session was the best session of Senior Savvy Seedlings. All the members that attended enjoyed cooking in their everyday lives, so it was wonderful to see them in an environment that they were comfortable in. They also had much more knowledge and cooking skills than we did so it felt as though they were teaching us something as well. It was a great way to learn more about the group members and who they are. Deb and I had multiple conversations about her family and she asked me about school and where I was from. The participants really seemed to enjoy the session which we were happy to see

At the conclusion of the final session of Senior Savvy Seedlings the three of us were able to reflect on the work we were able to accomplish together. Kaleigh, Brooke, and I work extremely well together and are able to give honest feedback to each other when collaborating. We each were able to pull our weight throughout the creation and implementation process of this community group and were proud of what we were able to do together.

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What we could have done differently: Session 3

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What we could have done differently: Session 3

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If we were to run this session again I would have allotted time for group members to go back into the garden to pick more food and ingredients incase more were ready to be harvested. I would have also been sure to label the food containers before dropping them off at the fire station.

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Overall, the session went extremely well and there were little to no issues. Some participants went into the garden separately to grab extra herbs, spices, and edible flowers that they needed. In session two we could have picked more so that participants didn't have to go into the garden again. We also did not label the food before we brough it to the fire station with what is was or the ingredients which would have been helpful to them if anyone there had allergies.

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There were three participants that came for the third session which worked out perfectly because we chose to make three recipes during session two. This allowed each participant to take charge of one recipe. We worked in pairs with them in the kitchen and everyone had a place during the meal preparation portion of the session. As in the previous sessions, the group members were extremely receptive to the session's plan and were excited to start engaging. The set up of this session really allowed for participants to talk to each other and us which is what we wanted to happen. We wanted to really hone in on the goal of interconnectedness this session and we believe that it was achieved. Although our time at the fire station was short the members enjoyed going out in the community and giving back.

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During the third session of Senior Savvy Seedlings the participants worked together to make the meals that they previously decided on during session two. The group members were able to reflect on times where they have had meals cooked for them, when they have cooked for others, and how this impacted everyone involved. Their thoughts were overwhelming positive and they had nice memories that they shared with us when they were on the receiving end of this act.

We started session three with another Jeopardy review game. Group members were very receptive to the game again and really enjoyed playing it. They were able to work together to answer questions and were very happy with themselves when they were able to answer the questions correctly. After the game was finished they expressed that they thought it was a great idea that we had a category for session one review. We then administered the pretest for this session and explained what we were going to be doing. I explained to the members that instead of bringing the meal to North Cottage, we will be walking the food up the street to the Norton Fire Station. We then began cooking the three meals that participants chose last session. Since there were three group members that attended this session we were each able to pair up with one of them to make a recipe. The participants began to talk to us about the meal train at TCC and how much of a positive impact it has made on people within their community. One member, Deb, shared an experience where she received a few meals from the meal train and how good it made her feel. We then began working together to cook each of the meals. It was clear that the three members that attended this session knew each other prior, and we were able to see playful banter and conversation between all of them throughout the meal preparation. When the meals were done we all worked together to clean the kitchen. We then walked up the street to Norton Fire Station and donated the meals we made. When we returned to administer the posttest and conduct the last focus group, members discussed how they thought it was a lovely idea to connect with other associations outside of TCC.

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What we could have done differently: Session 2

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What we could have done differently: Session 2

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In the original session plan, we did not allot time to go into the garden and harvest the food and ingredients and instead planned to do it during session three. When the idea was brought up and members were eager to get back into the garden which they really enjoyed. If we were to run the session again I would have planned to harvest the garden during this session for a couple reasons. First, it makes more sense for participants to go out in the garden during this session to see what is available to them before searching for recipes. The second reason would be it allowed us to see the quantity of each ingredient and what we had to buy as supplementary ingredients, whereas if we harvested during the third session we would have been guessing the amount of food we had to buy. When we came back together during the apps and websites portion we began to talk about Zoom and Facetime. One participant was adamant that she knew how to work and did not want to go over it, and we moved on. However, we should have asked each participant their feelings and level of confidence with Zoom before moving on so quickly.  I would be sure to include in the flyer to bring your devices fully charge and to locate your passwords for apps and websites on your device.

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During the apps and websites portion of the group we did not go over them as we had planned. Due to the fact that we were giving each group member a lot of individualized attention on their specific needs, we did not get to all the apps or websites that we had prepared. This created some disconnect as all the members were learning different things. Also during this time I was working with one member, Deb, to attempt to download the fall prevention app on her iPhone. However she did not know her apple ID password, so she was unable to download the app.

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Very similar to the first session group members were extremely receptive to the session's topic and what we had planned for them to do. Every group member was extremely excited to play Jeopardy and a few of them verbally expressed that they enjoyed it. Each member was engaged in the game and they were able to work together to answer some of the harder questions. Each group manager was able sit in between participants which allowed us to give one-on-one tailored attention to their specific struggles, on top of some of the apps and websites that we had planned. When in the garden we were there at the same time as Gwen, the garden manager, which was extremely beneficial  for everyone. She was able to tell us what everything was, and what foods were ready to be harvested. We as group managers were also able to see the relationship between the members and Gwen and how much of a community TCC is.

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Overall, I think the efficiency of the program increased as all three of us were on the same page during the whole session. We had a short discussion before the session started to re-order the agenda for the session, and discuss how we wanted to go about some of the activities which really helped things run smoothly. We had more than enough supplies and scavenger hunt materials for all participants which ensured that everyone was able to do the activity.

For this session specifically I think a better Wi-Fi connection would have enhance efficiency as there were minor delays during the apps and websites portion where group members were waiting for their devices to load. During our focus group for this session, some participants expressed that they thought having a physical copy of directions on how to do certain things on their devices would have helped. We were trying to veer away from physical copies and focus on the actual use of technology, however after this discussion we recognized how this would be helpful for participants outside the session.

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Personally, I think the session went very well. I was able to make a connection with one member in particular, Deb. I felt as though our conversations were very meaningful during the one-on-one technology portion of the session. She gave me a hug at the conclusion of the technology portion to show me her gratitude for helping her, which made me very happy. I felt as though I was very engaged throughout the session specifically during Jeopardy and harvesting in the garden. Throughout the session I was periodically checking the time and letting Kaleigh and Brooke know which helped us stay on track and not spend too much time on one thing. We finished all the activities and administering the posttest and focus group on time and at just about 12:30. We were able to fill the time slot perfectly without feeling rushed or skipping over anything.

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During the second session of Senior Savvy Seedlings we worked with participants to increase their technological skills pertaining to communication, health and safety tracking, and recipe discovery. We then had group members apply these skills through a scavenger hunt activity in which they found recipes that included the ingredients from the TCC Garden.

We began the session by reintroducing ourselves which included our names, that were were Worcester State University occupational therapy graduate students, and the name and goals of our community program. We then made sure to have the participants go around the room and introduce themselves to us and each other. Once the session was underway the first thing we did was host a game of Jeopardy that was based on session one's topic of strength, balance, and energy conservation techniques. The Jeopardy board was on a different table from the members and it was evident that they were having trouble reading the words by squinting and verbalizing their struggle. I was able to recognize this quickly and move the board to the edge of their table, which they verbalized was much easier for them to see. The group members did extremely well and were able to answer all the questions, besides two, correctly and with little hesitation. During Jeopardy members had trouble recalling the answer to one question which the tandem stand. We then prompted members to use the extra booklets I brought to find the answer. When they found the answer, they were excited, and I then asked them to stand and show us their tandem-stand to encourage the act of doing. We then administered the pretest and discussed technology as the topic of today's session. There were four participants in attendance and each of us guided members on the different apps and websites that we had prepared for the different devices that members brought. We were able to sit in between the participants and give them individualized attention to their specific technological difficulties. We came back together as a group to go over Pinterest and introduce recipe discover through this particular app and website. Once members had a grasp on the app and how to use it we paused and went back into the garden. We then ushered participants back into the garden where we worked together to harvest the vegetables that were ready. I was able to incorporate energy conservation techniques, such as taking breaks in the shade, while in the garden to connect to last session's information. Once the vegetables were collected we went back inside to take a break for a few minutes to grab water and use the bathroom. When we started up again we introduced the scavenger hunt activity and how to complete it. Group members began to pick ingredients out of their bags and write them to down on the worksheet. Members then began to search on Pinterest for recipes that included the ingredients found in the garden. We then led a group discussion where we decided on three dishes to prepare in session three. We then began to wrap up the session by administering the posttest and holding our focus group.

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As this was the first session of Savvy Senior Seedlings I think that we did well, but have room for a lot of improvement. Due it being the first session I think we were all a little bit nervous, and unsure how to run and transition the group from different activities. Moving forward I think efficiency will naturally increase because we will become more familiar with the environment and the group members. In session two there are more aspects to running the group such as different devices, worksheets for the food scavenger hunt, along continuing the observation checklist of participants. In session three we will be in the kitchen and cooking with appliances and multiple ingredients. Leaving adequate time before participants arrive to get and stay organized will help the efficiency of each session.

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Overall, I enjoyed the session and felt as though I was able to show my personality to the participants and have meaningful conversations with them. I felt that I was engaged throughout the session and was able to keep my energy up which helped move the session along. Since this was the first session I do believe there is room for improvement moving forward with the next two session. Personally, for the next two sessions I can make sure that we go over inventory of supplies to ensure that we have enough for each group member. Another thing that I can do is leave adequate time before participants arrive to survey the area and see what materials are around as we will be in different rooms at TCC for the upcoming session.

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At the beginning of the session we failed to have the group members introduce themselves to us and each other, which made it hard to address them later on throughout the session. Following this we stared the session with reading the booklets when we should have began with having the members actually do the exercises with us. During the implementation of the exercises we did not have enough kneeling pads for each participant, leaving one woman without one to use during the side-ways step. At that moment we should have assessed our surroundings and used something else (a book, pillow, ect.) for her to use instead of going without anything. We also should have instructed them to do a certain amount of repetitions before moving on to the next exercise. We as program managers need to do better about thinking on the spot, such as playing music during exercises through our phones. Moving forward we need to be double checking for spelling errors on handouts that we give to group members. Finally we need to ensure we are projective our voices at a volume that can be heard by all group members.

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What we could have done differently: Session 1

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What we could have done differently: Session 1

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If we were to re-do session one I would first ensure that we had a surplus of supplies for participants. This would allow all participants to have the same materials, and would have allowed all five participants to mulch while kneeling in the garden at the same time. I would have also gone back to edit our flyer to specifically say to wear sneakers, as this was part of the feedback we received during the focus group. I would have also had the flyer say to bring personal gardening tools as we could have incorporated them into the session, and made it more applicable for them to use these skills at home. I would have done a better job at assessing the surroundings, and have a better understanding that members would need folding chairs in order to help themselves when getting off the ground.

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The group members in the first session were extremely welcoming and receptive to us as we began the session. We were able to adequately introduce Savvy Senior Seedlings along with the purpose and goals of the program. When the exercise booklets were passed out they had a very positive response to them and one member took one home to give to her husband. When doing the exercises all members were able to participate and do what they felt was comfortable to them. Members were able to share their experiences of pervious falls and current sessions of physical therapy with other group members, which targeted one of our main goals of interconnectedness. As we made our way outside members were excited to work in the garden, and were happy to tell me about the progress it has made since years past. When we held the focus group at the conclusion of the session, participants said that we came well prepared, and enjoyed the session overall.

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During the first session of Senior Savvy Seedlings we taught participants fall prevention, balance, and energy conservation techniques. Each participant was given a booklet with each exercise which included instructions on how to do them.

We began the session by administering the pretest and reading over the booklets. We then made our way into the garden where we participants mulched around the perimeter of gardening beds. As the participants were maneuvering around the garden I brought attention to balance exercises that they were doing, perhaps without even noticing, such as the partial squat. Following this I brought attention to how the participants could practice other exercises such as the side step over the weeds growing through the stones. We encouraged rest breaks and supported energy conservation techniques as it was very hot outside and the garden was in the sun. We then brought the group back inside and went over the exercises again and asked participants how they used them in the garden and how they could apply them to their everyday tasks. We then administered the posttest and held the focus group at the end of the session to receive feedback from the participants. The focus group gave us insight to the technological issues that they were having and what they were interested in learning about for the second session. I was able to take notes during the focus group which will be beneficial for me and the other program managers moving forward so we are able to tailor the session to their needs.