Age Well Resources – Secure Elderly Parents

One of the best outdoor activities we can do regardless of our age and gender is gardening.   Gardening stimulates all of our senses and thus it provides health and therapeutic benefits, especially for older people.

Here are 5 physical, mental and emotional benefits of gardening for your senior loved ones.

1. Gardening may lower the risk of dementia.

According to a study, gardening helps seniors maintain their motor skills and improve their stamina and strength because gardening entails the use of critical functions which include dexterity and sensory awareness.  So allow your senior loved ones to regularly spend a short amount of time on gardening to keep their mind sharp and active.

2. Gardening promotes physical movement.

Gardening is a form of healthy exercise which involves bending, squatting, lifting and pushing—aerobic and strength-building exercises.  In fact, according to a study, a 30-minute gardening session completes all physical activity recommendations for older people.  However, if squatting or bending isn’t good for your senior loved ones; you may use containers, raised beds, walls, and trellises for plants, so they don’t need to bend down. Don’t forget to give them a medical alert device so you can immediately help them in case of an accident.

3. Gardening provides a natural source of vitamin D.

Spending time in the sun helps our body produce Vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) which is beneficial for our metabolic functions and skeletal health. However, protect your senior loved ones from burns with sunscreen and a hat, and keep them hydrated with fully filled glass water bottle with a bamboo lid.

4.  Gardening may help increase Serotonin.

Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that improves your mood and gives you a feeling of calmness and tranquility. According to a study, contact with a certain bacteria in the soil stimulates the release of serotonin in the brain and acts as a natural antidepressant. Thus gardening is an ideal outdoor activity for our senior loved ones to prevent boredom and depression.

5. Gardening promotes social relationships.

Studies have shown that older people who have social relationships enjoy better health and live longer than isolated peers. And a community garden is a better place to meet and socialize with old and new friends while serving a common purpose– beautifying your neighborhood and growing edible plants together.

 

While gardening offers health and therapeutic benefits, listed below are some precautionary measures to ensure that gardening is a safe and pleasant activity for everyone.

1. Don’t use sharp gardening tools.
2. Keep it enjoyable and lighthearted.
3. Provide them medical alert device so you can immediately attend to any accident.
4. Make sure that all plants are non-toxic.
5. Provide them a fully filled bottle of water to keep them hydrated.
6. Let them wear sunscreen and a hat to prevent sunburn.
7. Provide a shaded area with benches or chairs for periodic rests.
8. Consider container gardening to make the activity more accessible.