Therapeutic Gardening for Seniors and Caregivers
Not only is gardening a fun hobby to try, but there are surprising benefits to spending time digging in the dirt. The activity is gentle, accessible for people of all backgrounds and abilities, and can provide a serious boost to physical and mental health. Both seniors and their caregivers can reap the many rewards of gardening by trying it together this spring.
The Healing Benefits of Gardening
Enhances Mood
According to studies, tending to plants increases the serotonin in our brains, creating positive and relaxed feelings. Plus, an afternoon spent outdoors gives our bodies plenty of exposure to Vitamin D, which has been scientifically proven to help lower blood pressure and promote healthy brain functioning.
Facilitates Client-Caregiver Bonding
Gardening is a low-stress activity that seniors and caregivers can participate in together while connecting with nature. Working alongside someone in the garden gives the opportunity to slow down and bond over a shared goal. It can quickly become a positive addition to your daily routine together. Time in the garden is also a multi-generational activity. Older folks with grandchildren nearby can ask them to help water and care for plants as the garden grows.
Prevents Social Isolation
It’s common for both older adults and caregivers to experience feelings of loneliness and social isolation from time to time. Gardening can be quite social. And for some, plants provide their own sense of companionship, in some way. Having something to tend to can offer up feelings of warmth, and it gives older adults something to look forward to and feel responsible for.
For those who enjoy group activities, the Chelmsford Garden Club provides a unique opportunity to meet others who share a love of plants and flowers. This club is the one to thank for making the Chelmsford area so beautiful year-round with projects around town like Center Commons and Adams Public Library. To learn more about community gardens in your neighborhood, check out the American Community Garden Association’s website.
Creating a Senior-Friendly Garden
Gardening can easily be made more accessible for folks with health conditions and limited mobility. Here are a few alterations that family or professional caregivers can assist with:
- Help select low-maintenance plants, like hostas, to keep garden upkeep to a minimum.
- Consider safety. Keep a water bottle on hand, make sure older adults always wear sun protection, and have a cell phone nearby in case of an emergency.
- Having pots and small planters on a patio or inside allows seniors to grow plants without the commitment of a larger garden.
- For larger gardens in the yard, raised beds reduce the need for bending and kneeling.
Related Reading: Interested in creating an indoor garden? We share several tips in our past blog post, How to Add Green to Your House.
Invest in Gardening with an Angel by Your Side!
At Visiting Angels Chelmsford, the goal of our home care services is to help seniors enjoy an enhanced quality of life wherever they decide to spend it–often in the comfort of their own homes. Part of our services includes genuine companionship between our Angel caregivers and the clients they work with. This means getting to know the hobbies that matter to our clients and offering a companion to join them who can also monitor their safety. Whether your loved one’s passions lie with gardening or another hobby, we’re happy to be at their side as they safely enjoy the things that make them happy.
If your loved one could use companionship and dependable home care, reach out to learn more today! Call us at 978-244-0200.