What are the Benefits that Spring Gardens Bring to Seniors?
As the vibrant colours of spring paint our local communities and landscape, there’s no better time for seniors to immerse themselves in the joys of gardening. Gardens offer solace, beauty, and a sense of accomplishment. For seniors, tending to a garden becomes not just a hobby but also a source of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. For the elderly, a garden may not be so hands on, however can spark memories, and becomes a sensory journey. At Home Care Assistance we understand the joy that green life can bring during the different stages of ageing.
The Benefits of Gardening for Seniors:
Physical Activity and Mobility
One of the most obvious advantages of gardening for seniors is the opportunity for physical activity. Gardening tasks such as planting, weeding, and pruning help improve flexibility, strength, endurance, and overall mobility. As the weather continues to warm up, seniors can engage in light to moderate exercise, which is highly advantageous for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Mental Stimulation
Gardening is not just about being active; it’s also a mentally stimulating activity. Seniors must plan their gardens, make decisions about what to plant, where to plant them, sun or part shard, size of plant, colours, and troubleshoot problems if they arise. This mental engagement can help sharpen cognitive skills and memory.
Stress Reduction
Gardening has been proven to reduce stress levels and promote relaxation. The gentle sounds of rustling leaves and chirping birds, the warm sun, fresh air, combined with the soothing colours of flowers, plants and trees create a serene environment that helps unwind and lower stress levels. Not to mention the opportunity to enjoy your garden while sitting back having a nice cup of tea or tall glass of refreshing sparkling water.
Sense of Accomplishment
Watching a garden grow and flourish due to care and dedication can be immensely satisfying. Seniors can take pride in the beauty they’ve nurtured and created, boosting their self-esteem, sense of accomplishment and purpose.
Social Interaction
Gardening can quite social. Bond with family members, friends, local gardening enthusiasts or neighbours over shared conversions and gardening experiences. This interaction combats feelings of loneliness and isolation, fostering a sense of community.
I love Gardening but it’s getting harder to manage.
Now, as much as we truly enjoy our gardens, it’s no secret that as we continue to age, gardening doesn’t become any easier.
Home Care Assistance can help you focus on the parts of gardening that bring you joy and that can be easily managed, leaving the more difficult and larger jobs to others.
Home Care Assistance Care managers can work with you to plan and co-ordinate not only what gardening support you may need, for example weeding, mowing the lawn, pruning, but also other in-home services that you may require to support you living independently in your own home.
Our Home Care Assistance team is skilled in managing and connecting you with the right services and Care Professionals to meet your individual needs. If you don’t currently have a Home Care Package and are not sure if you are eligible nor where to start, reach out to your local Home Care Assistance team, they will be happy to help and guide you through the process.
If you currently receive an approved Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or Home Care Package (HCP), you may be able to use funding in your support plan to go towards home and garden maintenance. To find out more, contact your local Home Care Assistance team.
