The Benefits of Gardening for Older Adults

 

A garden full of beautiful flowers and/or home-grown vegetables is a gratifying pastime for many seniors. Not only does it offer beauty and wholesome, nutritional food for you and those you share your bounty with, but a healthier lifestyle.

Experts say getting outside to work in the garden is a wonderful way to get exercise and enjoy nature as well as to get a dose of vitamin D. They warn to protect your exposed skin with a sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher, wear light, loose clothing, and sunglasses to protect your eyes. Be sure to take frequent breaks, stay hydrated and don’t overdo it, and avoid working outside during the heat of the day. Gardening is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress and to forget about your problems, at least for a while. Overall even a few hours a week doing something as enjoyable as garden can strengthen muscles, improve mobility and increase flexibility.

Growing tomatoes and lettuce or starting a herb garden is a great place for beginners to start and are appropriate plants for container gardening. For flowers, stick to ones appropriate for your particular region. Planning your garden is a big part of the fun and studies show along with the physical aspect of gardening and the critical thinking skills regarding what to plant and how to take care of it may actually lessen your chance of getting Alzheimer's.

Another often overlooked benefit of gardening is the social aspect. While working in your garden may be a solitary activity, gardeners enjoy getting together in the forms of clubs, visiting their local farmers market, nursery trips, or joining a community garden project.

The MorningStar at Golden Ridge senior living community offers stylish independent living and assisted living as well as compassionate, professional memory care. To ensure the comfort and wellbeing of residents, we offer resort-style amenities and services with beautiful common areas inside and out including two-story great rooms, bistro bar, and restaurant-style dining indoors and on our dining patio. Independent living residents enjoy our community amenities as well as a clubhouse located within their neighborhood.