Gardening has huge benefits for anyone, but seniors in particular might find it helpful. Besides the joy of having a garden, having a project like this to tackle gives seniors a sense of accomplishment and keeps their brains active and engaged. If they need a little help with gardening projects or building routines that remind them to take care of their plants, home care can be a huge help.
Gardens Offer a Space to Relax
Building a garden often creates a soothing space that feels comfortable and relaxing. Seniors can incorporate seating arrangements around flowers and plants they love. Incorporating a variety of different plants that grow at different heights creates interest and can offer both shade and a cozy spot to enjoy. The garden doesn’t necessarily start out as a haven, but with the right plans seniors can get there more quickly than they might expect.
They’re Aesthetically Pleasing
But gardens aren’t just relaxing, they can also be visibly pleasing. Creating an atmosphere with a variety of different textures, colors, and types of plants offers visual interest that can be inspiring for seniors. The garden can be a great place to meditate or to simply sit and notice the different components. Spending time in the garden with a cup of tea or eating lunch outside can help seniors get a change of scenery and really enjoy the work they’ve already put into their gardens.
Gardens Can Offer Social Engagement
A garden with comfortable seating can offer a spot where seniors might spend time with friends and family members, neighbors, and even the elder care providers who stop by to help them. They’re a welcoming space that can make it easier for seniors to get the social engagement that they need. Sometimes seniors might enjoy having people over specifically to help out in the garden.
Homegrown Foods Help Seniors Eat Healthier
Gardens are more than just flowers. They can also be a space to start growing homegrown fruits and vegetables that seniors love eating. Harvesting their own produce can help seniors to feel a massive sense of accomplishment. They not only get to eat healthier and fresher foods themselves, they can share their extras with friends and family members, too, which is another layer of feeling productive and accomplished.
Gardens Get Seniors Moving
When seniors spend time in the garden, they’re getting fresh air, vitamin D exposure, and they’re moving in different ways than they do when they’re living a more sedentary life. Whether they’re raising plants in container gardens or are turning the entire back yard into a productive garden, seniors can get a lot of physical activity in while taking care of their plants. Home care providers can help to remind seniors not to overdo it so that they can stay within their recommended activity levels, too.
Gardening requires some effort and some time. Like any major physical activity, seniors might want to talk to their doctors about whether it’s safe for them to start gardening on a regular basis. Home care providers can be there to free up time and energy for seniors, too, so that they can spend more time gardening if that’s what they want to do.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Minneapolis, MN and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.
