This season, allow the tables to turn and present opportunities for older adults to serve as caregivers, instead of simply care recipients. With guidance, older adults of varying abilities can once again feel the sense of purpose and confidence that accompanies doting on living things within your therapeutic garden.

As September settles in and Mother Nature gently whisks away the last vestiges of summer, she also nudges monarch butterflies to begin their annual migration. People in almost every state outside of the Rocky Mountains will be able to witness the monarchs as they grace the skies with their distinctive orange and black wings. The soothing effect of watching monarch butterflies in migration elicits an almost child-like response of awe.

Transform your therapeutic garden into an oasis that welcomes these colorful friends. Continue to nurture your summer flowers, as the nectar from these plants serves as a food source for monarchs. (A common misconception is that monarchs only eat milkweed plant. While it is true that monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed, adult monarch butterflies drink nectar from a variety of flowers.)

Add puddling areas so that your visiting monarchs will have somewhere to stop for a drink of water. Choose shallow containers (potted plant saucers are great for this), fill them with sand and a few flat rocks before placing them on ledges or table tops near flowers. Add water periodically and, voila, you’ve created an ideal rest station for monarch butterflies.

Engaging older adults in this type of activity empowers them and connects them to Mother Nature’s creations.

Now is also the time to look ahead and plan for next season. Visit your local nursery and buy discounted milkweed plants. A perennial, these plants may look a bit long in the tooth now, but they will return, vibrant and life-sustaining for monarch caterpillars, come spring. Next year, the older adults who turn to you for care can instead provide care for caterpillars and watch them transform into butterflies.