A hydroponic garden in the Hospicio San Vicente de Paul: A productive aging project

Conclusion

A hydroponic garden in and of itself is not unique. Neither is the idea of putting a hydroponic garden in an institution in order to produce food for in-house consumption. The garden at the Hospicio San Vicente de Paul is unique, however. The project has demonstrated that: hydroponic gardening can be adapted to the requirements of older people; older people can learn new skills; a small space can produce vegetables for consumption and a surplus for sale; other organizations and age groups can come to realize the benefit of working with older people.

The experience also indicates that it is possible to accomplish the goal Ambassador Julia T. de Alvarez articulated for the United Nations, to “add life to the years that have been added to life by finding ways to enable older people to be economically, socially and culturally productive.”