Benefits of Gardening for the Elderly

Seniors, especially those who are retired, are often looking for hobbies to fill their time. They want something that is physically and mentally stimulating and can even get them out of the house. Gardening is a great choice for seniors as it checks all of those boxes and can also be rewarding as you quite literally watch your garden grow. 

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Benefits of Gardening for Seniors

Gardening and the elderly go well together because gardening offers many benefits, both physical and mental. Some of the physical benefits of gardening for the elderly include: 

• Providing a light workout. Gardening can require bending, kneeling, or sitting and then standing back up again. Digging holes can become a cardio workout in dry or heavy soil. Gardening tools and equipment need to be carried from where they are stored to where they will be used. Even pulling weeds and cutting flowers to bring inside and decorate with all count as physical activity. 
• Maintaining dexterity, which can decline with age. Gardening requires the use of fine and gross motor skills, so it helps promote dexterity. It can also help promote sensory awareness, since so many senses are used when gardening. 
• Relieving stress and boosting the immune system. Getting outside and doing things with your hands are both activities that can relieve stress and prevent depression. The vitamin D provided by the sunshine boosts immunity. Additionally, gardening exposes the elderly to good microbes and bacteria that are beneficial for gut health. 
• Providing a sense of purpose. Once retired, it may be tough for your senior loved one to find purpose or motivation. An elderly gardener, though, knows they need to take care of their plants so they feel motivated to get up and get out of the house. Caring for plants can also offer a sense of responsibility, accomplishment, and pride. 
• Offering a chance to socialize. A community garden where many elderly people are gardening is a great place for your loved one to interact with others. Chatting about their gardens and what they like to grow is also an easy conversation topic to get a discussion started. 

Tips to Make Gardening Easy for Seniors

Tools are an important part of gardening, and helping your senior loved one choose the right tools is crucial. Make sure they have the correct grip – for example, some gardening tools are designed with short handles specifically for seniors. You can also find adaptive tools for people with limited mobility or strength. 

Choosing to utilize container gardening or raised garden beds may be beneficial, as it limits the amount of weeding and bending required to care for the plants. Indoor gardening may be the right choice for a loved one with limited mobility.

Finally, remember that size matters – don’t over commit. You’ll be caring for those plants for months, potentially when it’s hot outside, so don’t make a garden that is too large for you and your loved one to handle.

As always, before your elderly loved one starts any new physical activity, they should check with their doctor to make sure they are fit, healthy, and able to complete the tasks they will need to do.

To learn about our home care services, contact our caregiving team today at 1-800-GRISWOLD or find a Caregiver near you.