Read on to learn about the power of gardening in senior living.
Mental Health Benefits
Beyond aiding seniors with chronic illnesses, gardening has numerous mental health benefits:
Reduction of Stress and Anxiety
Gardening naturally relieves stress. It calms the mind by tending to plants, observing their growth, and immersing oneself in a green environment, reducing anxiety.
Provision of Purpose
Seniors can gain a sense of purpose and accomplishment by actively gardening. Nurturing plants and witnessing their growth stimulates a sense of responsibility and achievement.
Improved Mood
The connection with nature, the sensory experiences, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with gardening all contribute to a more positive outlook.
Physical Benefits
The physical advantages of senior gardening programs are worth exploring:
Builds Muscle Strength
Regular gardening tasks like digging, planting, and weeding provide excellent low-impact exercise, helping seniors build and maintain muscle strength. Furthermore, spending time outdoors exposes seniors to natural sunlight, leading to increased vitamin D absorption. This vitamin is essential for maintaining strong bones and a healthy immune system.
Improves Balance
Gardening often involves bending, reaching, and balancing, which can improve seniors’ overall balance and coordination.
Hand-Eye Coordination
The precise movement requirements of gardening can enhance hand-eye coordination, promoting fine motor skills.
Reduces Blood Pressure
The calming effect of gardening lowers blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart-related issues.
Social Benefits
Gardening can be a communal activity, fostering socialization opportunities for seniors. In an urban setting where social connections can be scarce, gardening promotes a sense of community. Other social benefits include:
Reduces Isolation
Seniors often face isolation in urban living situations. Gardening in shared spaces creates opportunities for social interaction, reducing feelings of loneliness.
Improves Social Skills
Working alongside fellow gardeners encourages seniors to communicate, cooperate, and share their knowledge, improving their social skills.
Provides a Sense of Belonging
Being part of a gardening community offers a sense of belonging and purpose, enhancing overall well-being.
Opportunity to Learn New Skills
Gardening allows seniors to acquire new skills, keeping their minds engaged and curious.
Cognitive Benefits
Cognitive well-being is equally crucial for seniors and gardening programs deliver in this regard:
Aids Concentration
Planning and organizing a garden require focus and concentration, which can sharpen seniors’ cognitive abilities.
Stimulates Memory
Gardening can stimulate memory recall, making it an excellent cognitive exercise.
Supports Decision Making
Seniors often face decisions in their gardening endeavors, which helps them exercise their decision-making skills.
Improves Attention and Engagement
The hands-on nature of gardening keeps seniors actively engaged, improving their overall attention span.
Dellwood Gardens understands the enrichment gardening can have on our residents’ lives, which is why we choose to incorporate gardening into our recreation programming. If you’re interested in learning more about Dellwood Gardens’ services and amenities or if you’d like to speak with us about scheduling a tour, we’re here to help you. Contact us today!