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How Does Gardening Help the Elderly?

Elderly woman gardeningAs we age, many have the desire to reconnect with a previously lost hobby or simply want to take up something new. If this sounds like you or a relative, gardening for the elderly can be a great option.

If you are feeling bored at home, want to get outdoors, or just want to learn some new skills, you may want to consider taking up gardening as a hobby.

 

Naturally, there are dangers associated with gardening. With Acticheck however, you or your loved one can enjoy gardening in confidence knowing that if anything did go wrong, you’re able to signal for help as easily as pushing a button.

Or if you were to fall, Acticheck’s fall detection would get help for you.

This article will be discussing potential problems gardening seniors may experience, and how to mitigate them.

 

What is Challenging for Seniors Learning to Garden?

Starting a new hobby is always daunting and gardening is no different.

For the elderly, key obstacles include not having sufficient physical strength or flexibility required to garden. Digging and planting can be particularly physically strenuous.

It is important to know your limits, and not be afraid to ask for assistance from your younger relatives or friends. This will help to prevent injury.

If you have a relative or neighbour who needs assistance with their hobby, helping seniors with their gardening projects can be a rewarding endeavour.

 

What Skills does Gardening Involve?

Gardening involves a variety of skills.

But do not fret – many of these skills can easily be learnt over time.

A good gardener, for example, must be patient. Often, it takes time to see the fruits of your labour… quite literally!

Gardening also requires a certain level of dexterity, particularly when using different tools. Motor skills can be developed over time with practice.

These skills would help seniors derive more joy out of their gardening with greater results.

 

What Equipment do Seniors Need for Gardening?

We tend to garden on nicer days; therefore, it is even more important that we protect ourselves from the sun.

When we are gardening, we should wear a sun hat, to protect our heads from over-heating, and sun cream. Some sun creams even repel pesky insects.

For seniors gardening, it is also vital that we remember to cover up with suitable clothing particularly gloves – as this will also prevent your hands from getting scratched by thorny brambles or roses as well as preventing you from coming into contact with potentially harmful chemicals that are used in gardening, such as pesticides and fungicides.

We should also remember to stay hydrated, especially because gardening is a form of light exercise. We recommend a portable water bottle to stay hydrated to make sure our bodies are operating optimally.

It is worth considering what footwear is suitable – ideally seniors gardening require comfortable, practical footwear that you do not mind getting a bit muddy!

Additionally, if you want to garden in full confidence, Acticheck’s life-saving wristband, The Acticheck Life-Saving Wristband, may be a good idea for you.

It provides a lifeline in the event that something goes wrong. Your personal alarm wristband will raise the alarm if you fall, and also allows you to call for help if you get into trouble simply by pressing a button.

What are the Benefits of Gardening?

Gardening helps seniors to get more vitamin D, as it encourages you to spend more time outside. Vitamin D is important for keeping your bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

Gardening also encourages seniors to stay mobile, providing a gentle form of exercise involving bending, stretching and lifting to name just a few. This can helps seniors to maintain skills including balance, which has transferable benefits to day-to-day life.

Furthermore, gardening can aid in reducing stress, which has positive effects for overall wellbeing.

 

What are the Costs of Gardening?

Gardening is commonly considered to be an expensive pursuit. But there are simple ways to minimize costs. You can, for example, reduce costs by using cuttings or seeds to spread plants, rather than buying plants outright.

 

Concluding Thoughts…

Today, we have discussed gardening for the elderly, and the benefits associated with it.

Gardening is a wonderful and rewarding hobby. And Acticheck’s life-saving wristband is the perfect accompaniment for senior gardeners to enjoy the outdoors with confidence. Not to mention the reassurance and peace of mind it provides loved ones that help is at hand should an accident occur while you’re in the garden and potentially away from your phone.

We’ve put together a quick way of you finding the right personal alarm for your needs which you might find helpful.

We are here to ensure that all seniors retain their independence for as long as possible and can answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Contact us at any time for advice or support with your fall detection system for seniors on 0345 25 75 080.

Get the peace of mind you and your family deserve