community, and sustained by residents in an innovative approach to living and care. Since graduating, Eastway has actively consulted with communities and individuals on implementing the model’s core principles. While fundraising efforts for the pilot community are underway, Eastway continues to advance eco-gerontology through the Care Outdoors Certificate Program, an online initiative designed to
Enrichment Centers (AEC) in South Carolina became the first adult-day healthcare organization in the country to achieve Leader Certification from the Care Outdoors Program. AEC applied the program’s teachings by creating comfortable outdoor sit-spot areas, building community gardens, and integrating nature-based practices, including awe walks, across all three of their care and engagement centers. “Adult Enrichment Centers staff initially
empower students and leaders in aging services, recreation, and healthcare to integrate nature- based approaches into their work with the aging population. The first public cohort of the Care Outdoors Certificate Program launched in December 2024, drawing participants from across the United States and even Australia. “I love online programming because of its reach and flexibility,” said Eastway. “If I could only teach this in person, my impact would be limited. This service is too important to be kept local.” The program began with a three-day retreat and quickly evolved into six experiential learning modules based upon Eastway’s e-book, “Care Outdoors: A Companion Guide to Nature-Inspired Care and Living.” The book shares simple yet profound evidence-based practices from across the globe that are successfully integrating green
thought it was just another required training,” said Eastway. “But as they progressed, they began to notice improvements in their own well-being. Once they started building habits like going for walks, meditating in sit spots, and connecting with nature, they realized the importance of this connection. I would love to see more organizations like AEC enroll their key teams in the program.” Interest is already growing, with Monterey Peninsula College planning to host a hybrid version of the Care Outdoors Certificate Program this fall. Eastway is thrilled to bring experiential learning practices directly to participants. “It would be a game changer for other community colleges and universities to offer
“It would be a game changer for other community colleges and universities to offer this cutting-edge program. Together, we can create a ripple effect of nature- connected care across our nation and beyond.”
—Monica Eastway ’21 (MS in Gerontology)
care into aging services. The final module equips participants to design, grow, and advocate for nature-connected programs and communities in their own settings. Eastway hopes that by educating community leaders, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders, they will create real, lasting change. Eastway’s efforts are already bearing fruit. In January, Adult
this cutting-edge program,” she said. “Together, we can create a ripple effect of nature-connected care across our nation and beyond.” Like all living things, growth takes time. Eastway remains “passionately persistent and patient,” nurturing her vision for a world where aging and nature exist in harmony. “This isn’t the easy path, but it’s the right one,” she said. “Seeing the transformation in those who’ve gone through the program, knowing what is possible — that is what keeps me going.” As the aging population continues to grow, so does the urgency for new models of care that support older adults, caregivers, communities, and nature. Eastway’s work in eco-gerontology offers a promising path forward, one that emphasizes the healing and transformative power of nature in the aging process. Through her programs, like Eco Generation Park and the Care Outdoors Program, Eastway is leading the charge in creating more inclusive, nature-connected models of care that help older adults not just survive but thrive.
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MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025
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