Gardening Tips for Seniors

By: Tara Schell – Maumee Pointe Senior Living

What about something for the green thumbs in your family? Our greenhouse is a beautiful way to spend the day while also contributing something to the community. Plus, some of the vegetables grown here are used to create delicious, nutritious meals for all our residents!

Gardening for seniors is a wonderful way to promote an active physical and mental lifestyle. Cultivating a garden can be empowering and provide a wealth of benefits to help our seniors stay active without too much strain to the body. Common gardening activities like digging, planting, watering and harvesting can create enjoyment and stimulation while aiding the bodies and minds of seniors. Raised beds are easy on the back and knees.

Here are some benefits to gardening for seniors:

Physical Activity: light gardening can burn up to 330 calories per hour.

Improved Motor Skills: Promotes mind and muscle connection.

Improves Mobility and Flexibility: This can help improve recovery from strokes and other medica; conditions.

Improves Endurance and Strength: gardening for seniors can improve overall body and mind endurance.

Keep Joints and Bones Healthy: Increased mobility will ensure joints and bones are kept in optimal condition.

Gardening Reduces Stress: Nurturing a garden can quickly help to relieve stress and promote relaxation.

Promotes Social connection: Social interaction and improved social skills. Social interaction can quickly help improve your mood thanks to increased serotonin levels.

Boost overall immunity: While gardening, we expose ourselves to important bacteria and other microbes that help keep our immune systems healthy and ready to tackle a variety of health conditions and infections.

Some medical conditions and physical disabilities can prevent certain seniors from gardening. Be sure to first consult with your loved one’s physician before they begin their cultivation journey.

With proper planning, we can empower our seniors to create a safe and accessible garden to nurture. Happy gardening from Maumee Pointe.