UC Davis health experts have found that being outside greatly impacts people’s health. From higher Vitamin D levels to heightened cognitive abilities, there are tons of benefits to spending time outdoors.
Senior community gardening is a great way for older adults to stay active outside. Here, we’ll discuss:
- The ins and outs of garden therapy
- The benefits of gardening for older adults
- How seniors can get involved in gardening
Read on to learn the ins and outs of healthy aging through gardening.
What Is Garden Therapy?
Garden therapy is a senior activity that promotes mindfulness and well-being. It’s also often called “horticultural therapy.”
During this process, a therapist traditionally guides participants through the process of gardening. They help them remain goal-oriented by guiding them through actions like:
- Fertilizing soil
- Planting
- Caring for flowers and other plants
- Observing the natural aspects of the garden
The aim is to engage all of the participants’ senses. For example, the aromas of the flowers and the feel of the breeze on their face foster mindfulness.
However, garden therapy in senior community living doesn’t just happen under the eye of a trained therapist. Seniors can gain social experiences and multi-sensory stimulation on their own, too.
By going out to the garden and working with other residents, they can take healthy aging through gardening into their own hands. This:
- Creates a sense of individualism
- Boosts senior autonomy
- Enhances cognition and memory
- Provides older adults with something to look forward to
Active participation and observing others in the garden both can stimulate the senses. This means that seniors can reap the benefits of guided or individual gardening in multiple ways.
Community Gardening for Seniors: Why It Matters
Gardening is a hobby for some people. It’s a passion for others. For some, it’s a lifeline for creative self-expression.
There are several steps toward creating a gorgeous and lively garden. Some include:
- Deciding what to grow
- Gathering gardening tools
- Testing the soil for fertility
- Enhancing soil fertility when possible
- Making a garden bed
- Deciding on a landscape layout for flowers and plants
- Planting seeds and saplings carefully
- Nurturing the seeds with water and fertilizer over time
Following these steps is methodical. It gives seniors a way to grow something in multiple stages. This provides them with a sense of purpose as they nurture their garden and try new things.
Fresh Air and Sunshine
Community gardening gets residents outside with minimal hassle. Since Greenwood Place Assisted Living has gardens available on community grounds, there’s no need to walk very far or take public transit.
Instead, seniors can simply walk outside and enjoy the fresh air!
This:
- Cleans out the lungs
- Improves focus
- Increases oxygen flow
- Enhances the immune system
Plus, sunlight gives those who go outside more Vitamin D. This lowers the risk of depression and anxiety.
Lower Stress Levels
Vitamin D makes people happier. It decreases the probability of mental health issues like anxiety and chronic sadness. It also gives seniors more exercise for a mood boost.
The repetitive movements of gardening also make mindfulness easy. Residents have the chance to live in the moment with these senior community activities. This provides peace of mind and nips stress in the bud.
The Art of Creating
Gardening is a creative activity. Seniors can:
- Design a landscape
- Create color palettes with flowers
- Indulge in creating patterns out of plants and flowers
- Cultivate their favorite plants
- Experiment with ways to make soil more fertile
It also allows seniors to grow and nurture something living.
This provides a creative outlet for self-expression. It also makes seniors feel a sense of purpose. After all, they’re creating life and watching something grow because of their hands-on activity.
Connecting With the Community
Gardening is one of the best senior community activities because it fosters social interaction for elderly residents.
Gardening is a collaborative effort. Seniors need to work together to fertilize the soil and create a great landscape design. This requires communication toward a shared goal.
Seniors can:
- Discuss what plants they want to grow
- Share landscape ideas and bolster each other’s creativity
- Share ideas about how to make the process go smoother
- Encourage one another as they work together to grow something beautiful
Plus, since those in the garden will have a pre-existing interest in growing plants and vegetables, they’ll come together over a common interest. It’s a great way to nurture strong connections with neighbors!
Healthy Aging Through Gardening
Gardening is a low-intensity form of exercise. It’s possible for those who have trouble moving since they can sit on a small stool or support their knees with a shovel. This sets gardening apart from other activities like dance or jogging.
Still, those growing plants need to dig down into the soil. Raking dirt over the areas where roots are buried also is a repetitive and consistent way to give arm muscles a workout.
This improves:
- Arm muscle strength
- Flexibility
- Mobility
- Balance
It’s manageable for most residents, especially for seniors who use smaller pots and raised garden beds.
How Can Community Residents Get Involved?
Garden therapy takes place within community amenities. This means that residents can just step outside and access the benefits of their garden.
It’s easy to tend to daily alongside friends and other community members.
Residents can simply find “gardening” on their activity calendar and head outside at the allotted time. Then, they can sit down and start nurturing their favorite plants and flowers.
It’s that simple assuming that families choose the right Marietta, GA community for their loved ones!
Reap the Benefits of Gardening at Greenwood Place
Now that you know the benefits of community gardening for older adults, it’s time to look for the right community for your loved one.
Greenwood Place Assisted Living offers many opportunities for social interaction for elderly individuals. We offer lovely outdoor space where our residents can enjoy their favorite outdoor activities. Plus, our compassionate care experts are committed to ensuring that residents get fresh air and sunshine.
Schedule a tour to learn more about what our community has to offer in terms of outdoor events and beyond!
