Last Updated on September 22, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford
Imagine stepping into a shining lawn wherein dancing blooms flirt with the breeze of calm and leaves speak in whispers of peace. Now imagine – to be taken as senior – accompanying this enchanted world. Gardening activities don’t come under a few simple hobbies for the elderly. It is an elixir for health, happiness, and bliss!
Many studies prove that gardening provides enormous benefits for seniors – from calming their minds to finding new friends and even a new life purpose.
So, get your gardening gloves on, and allow’s pass deep into the soil of serenity so that we may also develop a lawn of joy in every seed sown!
Gardening Activities For Adults: Find Joy In Nature
It’s more than just a hobby to do easy gardening for seniors. It is a therapeutic activity that promotes health and happiness. Digging, planting, watering, and harvesting food and flowers preserving broccoli or other vegetables for later use are all enjoyable tasks associated with cultivating plants.
Studying succulents for beginners can be an excellent entry point into this rewarding world of gardening, offering low-maintenance yet beautiful plants that seniors can nurture and enjoy. Engaging in these activities gives physical exercise, stimulates the mind, and relaxes one mentally. So, senior gardening makes it worthy of a good pastime for older people seeking fulfillment and well-being.
How Does Gardening Help The Elderly?
Primarily, it acts as a gentle and effective form of exercise. Yes! It amps up your physical activity, boosts flexibility, and gives those muscles a real kick of energy. And it’s not just that—gardening plays a significant role in keeping those joints flexible and fending off chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
Intriguingly, a remarkable 2006 study shed light on the profound impact of senior gardening on dementia. Over 16 years, researchers meticulously observed a cohort of more than 2,800 individuals aged 60 and above.
Remarkably, their study found that gardening could potentially reduce the incidence of dementia by an astounding 36%. This activity gives hope for a brighter future for older people. CHECK IT OUT!
Gardening is so much more than planting pretty flowers. It’s like a physical and mental power-up all in one! Not only does it jolt your physical well-being, but it takes your brain on the wildest ride you ever took.
It’s like taking those cognitive faculties to another level of supercharge where your memory gets sharper, and your problem-solving skills are top-notch.
And, of course, we can’t leave out the vibe it gives you when you’re out there in the open air. It’s like forging a deep bond with nature, and that’s some mood-lifting severe stuff! Goodbye to stress and those bummer feelings because gardening’s got your back!
Oh, you know what’s cool about gardening? Well, not only are there plants and stuff, it’s like a natural hub for social vibes! Community gardens make folks interact more, particularly seniors, and they’re all bonding over their shared passion for gardening. It’s like some sweet conduit for social interaction.
Benefits Of Gardening For Seniors
Easy gardening for seniors offers a low-impact form of exercise promoting physical well-being! But as we can say, it also stimulates the mind to boost cognitive function!
This activity provides an opportunity to uplift the mood, reduce stress levels, and provide peace and calmness in one’s mind. Do you know what is more attractive? Senior citizens can become friends over their shared love for plants and nature.
Gardening Is A Stress Reliever
First, research shows that gardening help for seniors lessen stress. According to a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) study, people who regularly garden have well-being ratings that are 6.6 % higher and stress levels that are 4.2% less than those who don’t garden at all, according to a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) study.
The study found that gardening only took two or three times a week to reap the rewards of increased wellness and decreased stress. According to the research, planting might take equivalent energy for a workout.
Gardening Raises Serotonin Levels
In addition, it has been proved that seniors’ serotonin levels go up when they garden. A molecule called serotonin helps bring you down and makes you feel good in the brain.
Gardening lowers cortisol, a stress hormone causing high blood pressure, among other things, improving your mood and lowering your cortisol level. In addition to bringing down cortisol, gardening elderly can also increase serotonin levels.
Other studies have even related gardening to lower depressive health symptoms. According to one research, exposure to a specific soil bacterium causes the brain to produce serotonin which acts as a natural antidepressant.
It is perhaps one of the reasons for “horticulture therapy” becoming popular and effective in treating depression and other mental diseases.
Boosts The Immune System
Exposure to vitamin D, which raises calcium levels and makes the bones strong and the immune system more powerful, is one of the most loved free gardening help for seniors.
In a 2014 Italian study, insufficient blood vitamin D levels were observed in older adults. Therefore, participating in outside activities – like gardening – is a great way to get some sunshine while having fun and improving mental health.
Reduces The Chance Of Osteoporosis
As mentioned, one expected benefit of gardening for seniors is increased physical activity. In other words, gardening lets the elderly stay active, flexible, and mobile – thus, preventing many diseases, including osteoporosis.
A concerted investigation to support WHO’s recommendations on physical activity and sedentary behavior concluded that interventions likely improve bone health in older persons, thus avoiding osteoporosis.
Reduces The Chance Of Heart Attack Or Stroke
According to research in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, people over the age of 60 that engage in regular gardening or home improvement activity reduce their risk for heart attack or stroke and live longer by as much as 30%.
A study shows that even those who spent their retirement years training for marathons don’t put themselves at a lower risk than those with green fingers.
As with regular exercise, older adults’ gardening has several health benefits. Even independent of the amount of stock and structured training the people in question were getting, there was a 27 percent lower risk of having a heart attack or stroke and a 30 percent reduced chance of mortality from all causes.
Gardening May Reduce The Risk Of Dementia
Australian researchers found that 60-year-old frequent gardeners had a 36 percent reduced incidence of dementia compared with non-gardeners.
Another study has found that engaging in regular gardening reduces the risk of 36% of developing dementia. Similar to how exercise reduces the chances of heart disease, engaging in brain-stimulating acts like gardening with seniors lowers the chances of Alzheimer’s disease.
Health Care For Seniors’ Gardening
Older adults must have secure and convenient gardening support. It includes ensuring acceptable garden bed heights to avoid excessive bending or joint strain.
Secondly, the gloves will protect them from cuts, scrapes, and infections, while ergonomic instruments can help lower the probability of harm.
Planting outside, the senior should also take precautions against sunburns and drink lots of water.
Let’s analyze some of these main precautions in detail:
Skin
With age, seniors are more prone to bumps, bruises, and sunburn because our skin is thinner and more sensitive. Therefore, older people should take special care to protect their skin while they garden.
It is recommended that older adults wear some protective clothes while gardening. For instance, they can put on a long sleeve shirt, slacks, and also a wide-brimmed hat to help protect their skin from the sun.
Sunscreen with a high SPF is one of the number one health precautions for older adults when gardening. Gloves can likewise give protection to the hands.
Eyesight
The eye health of seniors is also an essential factor to think about. Wear hats or sunglasses with wide brims to protect their eyes from harmful UV rays.
People with vision impairments should choose high-contrast colors for plants and floral arrangements.
To make things even more transparent while doing complicated tasks – like seed planting or trimming – it is another good idea to use magnifying instruments or, in some cases, corrective eyeglasses.
Bones
Maintaining bone health is essential for those who garden, as it will help avoid an accident and support general well-being. Bone-strengthening exercises and activities like walking or carrying little gardening stuff are the activities that seniors should engage in.
Use supportive cushions or cushion knee pads so that you are held up in keeping a good posture while bending over or kneeling. With ergonomic instruments, you can lessen pressure on bones and joints by using soft handles like chairs.
Bone health can also be supported by getting enough calcium and vitamin D through a balanced diet or supplements.
Body Temperature
Body temperature health care for elderly gardeners prevents heat-related overheating and diseases. Seniors must dress according to the climate wearing light-colored, permeable clothes that keep them cool.
Drinking enough water is necessary before, during, and after gardening activities to avoid becoming dehydrated. Also, controlling body temperature and avoiding tiredness is possible if one rests frequently in shady areas.
Sunburn prevention methods include using high-SPF sunscreen and wearing a hat with a broad brim.
The seniors should also be familiar with indications of heat stroke and dehydration so they can seek medical assistance immediately.
Mental Abilities
Several things need to be considered regarding elder gardening and mental health care. Gardening activities promote retention in memory, as well as cognitive training.
Seniors may arrange their gardens, identify plants with visible signs, and have a routine for watering and plant maintenance to assist their mental abilities.
With the help of choosing plants and solving problems in the garden, you may encourage them to problem-solve abilities and keep their minds active.
Joining gardening organizations and participating in community garden initiatives also promotes social relationships and offers chances for information and experience exchange.
Safe Gardening Tips For Seniors: Enjoying The Outdoors
Gardening can be a beneficial and exciting pastime for seniors. Still, like any other outside activity, it requires precautionary measures. From wearing light clothes and warming up before to using SPF and making break ups – these precautions make this hobby even more comfy and safe!
Warm-Up from Time to Time
First, before starting intensive or light gardening, seniors should remember to warm up. Simple exercises – jumpings, hip rotations, or arm swings – help prevent muscular strain and injury.
Besides, studies prove that mild exercises will assist in promoting body flexibility and improving blood circulation.
Warming up helps the body get ready for physical work – lowering the chance of strains – and improves general mobility when gardening.
Use Lightweight Tools
If a senior is doing only light garden work, they should use light gardening implements to lessen physical strain and improve comfort while gardening.
Ergonomic-designed tools with low weights, such as trowels, pruners, and watering cans, help lessen the stress on joints and muscles.
Because of decreased tiredness and discomfort, elders may now enjoy gardening activities. Using the right equipment, the elder can indulge in garden activities without putting undue stress on their bodies.
Don’t Skimp On Hand And Skin Protection
An adult person of senior age also has to wear protective gloves and clothing. Strong gardening gloves protect the hands from injuries such as cuts, blisters, and chemical exposure.
Applying sunscreen with a sufficient sun protection factor (SPF) also hinders the chances of developing sunburn while protecting skin from prolonged contact with sunlight.
Skin and hand protection help ensure that older citizens can easily undertake gardening activities without posing health or well-being hazards for themselves.
Avoid Heat And Sunlight
To protect against heat-related illness and avoid sunburn, a senior should not be exposed to intense heat and direct sunlight while gardening.
Gardening at more excellent times of the day – for instance, early morning or late afternoon – is a great way that reduces their exposure to bright sunshine and high temperatures. The other thing about gardening is staying hydrated by drinking water.
Optimize Space And Weight Lifting
The seniors can maximize the available area for safer gardening by using the proper weight-lifting methods. Container gardening or growing on raised garden beds curtail back and knee pain because less bending and kneeling is required.
Seniors should use their leg muscles while carrying significant things rather than a bend at the waist to avoid an injury to the back. A safer gardening experience is facilitated via good body mechanics, including equipment such as a wheeled cart for oversized items.
Divide A Large Amount Of Work Into Intervals
Seniors will avoid fatigue and overexertion if they break the laborious gardening work into intervals. Seniors are better off pacing themselves and taking rests in between jobs rather than trying to finish everything at once.
They can sustain energy levels, break the chance of strain, and prevent feeling overburdened by breaking tasks into manageable portions.
Gardening greatly pleases seniors at varied times without exerting themselves too much, thus making it more enjoyable.
Ask For Help If You Need It
When seniors are involved in strenuous gardening activities, they shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help from family, friends, or neighbors.
Asking for help performs the physical labor of heavy lifting, excavating, or any other physical work in a safer and avoidable manner.
Working with a gardening partner increases the ease of the job because they care for all processes, hence increasing the enjoyment of an activity. While depending on the encouragement and companionship of their loved ones, seniors can enjoy gardening.
Нow to Facilitate Gardening for Elderly
Take into account simple tips that would improve the comfort and access of older people to garden without any problem. For instance, below are some helpful guidelines:
Add Comfortable Benches Or Chairs In The Yard
Putting cozy seats or chairs all over the yard will increase the joy of gardening for older people. These seating solutions give vital rest areas during gardening sessions so that elders may pause and relax without feeling too much tension.
Comfortable places to sit allow seniors to continue their gardening tasks comfortably, minimizing weariness and furnishing a more pleasant outdoor experience. Such rest areas provide chances to take in the delight and beauty of the garden.
Use Raised Beds For Better Drainage And Easier Harvesting
Install raised beds in the garden for the advantage of senior gardeners. Having a raised bed provides better drainage, reduces waterlogged soil, and promotion of health of the plants.
Seniors with restricted mobility will find gardening duties easier to fulfill because of the raised design’s depreciation of the requirement for excessive bending.
The elevated height also makes harvesting easier to manage since it removes the requirement to stoop, thus reducing the pressure on the knees and back.
Vertical Gardening And Living Walls
For an older gardener, vertical gardening and living walls offer space-saver options. They may use walls, trellises, or hanging planters to grow plants with little ground space.
By limiting bending or kneeling, which is often necessary while gardening, this method relieves the joints and muscles of pressure.
Additionally, vertical gardens create a lovely display that makes the playground look better, and an older gardener’s outdoor experience would become more enjoyable too.
Change The Steps To Wide, Gentle Paths
To ensure gardening is senior-friendly, change the traditional garden stairs to broad, rounded walkways. This change makes it possible to go around the yard safely and quickly as much as getting rid of trip hazards, making it easier for people with mobility problems to move around.
To encourage independence and involvement in gardening activities, wide walkways are planned to ease mobility aids like walkers or wheelchairs.
They also make it easy to move gardening tools so that the elders can continue doing their loved activities without worrying about crossing rugged terrain.
Install An Irrigation System
Installing an irrigation system means watering the senior garden will be very easy. Using labor-intensive watering cans and drip irrigation systems ensures efficient, focused watering.
With this system, elders may easily maintain proper hydration levels of their plants without too much strain on the physical body.
A water-saving irrigation system encourages environmentally friendly methods of gardening and, instead, means that older people do not have to water their gardens regularly.
Avoid Hanging Baskets
Hanging baskets should avoid being placed in elderly gardens as they are pretty impractical. Watering these hanging baskets often might be a problem for seniors since they dry up very quickly.
In addition, the burden brought about by the constant need for fertilizer and trimming is added up to the obstacle that comes from keeping hanging baskets.
The overhead position makes them hard to access, making it difficult for elderly gardeners with limited reach or mobility. Instead of the conventional basket type, pick another high-accessible style with fewer maintenance requirements.
Use Tools With Longer Handles
Giving longer-handled equipment to more senior gardeners because this helps reduce bending and stooping. Take tools like rakes, hoes, and pruners because, with them, seniors can work in an upright position and thus allowing them to let go of stress on their backs and knees.
Notably, the long-handled tool allows a far wider field of vision, hence easier access to the plants and places that may be hard otherwise. This modification will make gardening comfortable and simply physically simpler for seniors.
Gardening Scooter
A gardening scooter is the answer for senior gardeners who find movement a problem. With four wheels for stability, a comfy seat, and a compartment to tuck in your gardening tools, these specifically made scooters are functional as well as neat-looking.
Because the scooter is very agile, seniors can easily visit different garden areas. Therefore, they can do gardening activities more comfortably and efficiently without suffering as much and enjoy the experience as a whole.
Gardening for Memory-Challenged Seniors
For those with memory problems, gardening can be an incredibly soothing and helpful exercise. It provides a highly sensory-rich atmosphere that could help stimulate memories and improve cognitive ability.
Essential gardening duties such as digging, planting, and watering will return some pleasant memories. Making a familiar routine and repeating actions in the garden will give structure and comfort.
A garden with different kinds of plants attracts the multi-sensory experience and cognitive stimulation.
In addition, engaging memory-impaired seniors in small-scale gardening activities or tending to potted plants helps them experience some degree of success while developing feelings of accomplishment and building self-esteem.
Generally, gardening provides an enjoyable and meaningful activity for older people with memory problems.
For elders, gardening is no longer just a hobby; it provides therapeutic exercise that significantly enhances their health and happiness. So many of the advantages accrued from gardening range from physical activity to cognitive stimulation and developing social bonds.
Seniors can find joy and purpose in tending to their little paradise—whether working the soil, caring for plants, or harvesting the fruits of their labor.
So, why take a trowel and embark on this revitalizing journey? Gardening isn’t only about improving one’s wellness; it also creates a beautiful sanctuary where seniors can flourish and thrive – one bloom at a time.
FAQs
How To Start Gardening For Seniors?
The first step in teaching elders to garden involves assessing their physical ability. Provide easy access to water sources, choose the right equipment and the plants themselves, and make adjustments, if necessary, using raised beds. Begin with more manageable tasks, then gradually increase the complexity as they become more comfortable.
Does Gardening Reduce The Risk Of Dementia?
While it can’t decrease the risk of dementia, studies show that somehow, gardening helps with some measure of cognitive function. Getting some mental stimulation through regular gardening makes people feel more connected and improves brain health in general.
What Can Help Older People In The Garden?
Ergonomic tools to ease the strain on joints, raised beds or container gardening for easier accessibility, seating options for resting breaks, and proper lighting to enhance visibility are a few of the various adaptations that help older people in the garden.
How Do You Garden Efficiently For Older People?
Raised beds make gardening more accessible, so elders don’t always have to stoop down. Picking low-maintenance plants and using ergonomic tools will ease the strain. Installing automatic watering systems and providing adaptive tools will make gardening fun. Also, ensure the garden has good lighting, and it must also have safe pathways.
Why Is Gardening Good For Older People?
Gardening is good for older people because it helps them to get some physical activity, stimulates cognitive abilities, and allows them to calm down, even if a little. Besides, it reduces stress levels, fosters a sense of purpose and accomplishment, promotes social harmony, connects them with nature’s beauty, and helps improve general well-being.