The many physical and mental benefits of active gardening for everyone have long been known and appreciated.
However, the perks of getting out into the fresh air – and perhaps getting your hands dirty! – are felt all the more keenly with elderly people.
With the inaugural No Dig Day – an event encouraging people to take up easy “no dig” gardening to grow healthy vegetables and improve soil for wildlife – taking place on 3 November, we’re sharing five of the best reasons to get out and amongst the greenery as much as possible…
1. It keeps you active and happy
As we get older, it’s vitally important to stay as active as possible. Doing so helps to maintain mobility and flexibility, whilst also boosting mental health. Even light gardening includes walking, stretching, bending and lifting – all of which combine to provide a good workout and build strength.
2. It’s fantastic for physical wellbeing
Keeping active with gardening is therefore brilliant for your overall physical wellbeing. This stimulating activity strengthens bones, muscles and joints; improves balance leading to fewer falls; helps to maintain blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease; and provides a healthy dose of essential vitamin D when the sun is shining!
3. It reduces stress levels
Gardening is proven to reduce levels of cortisol, otherwise known as the stress hormone. It’s sadly all too easy for elderly people to stay stuck indoors all day, negatively affecting their mental health and raising stress. Even just stepping outside to enjoy a different environment can make a world of difference, and it’s always exciting to see how your plants are growing.
4. It helps keep minds sharp
Regular gardening requires people to use their mind constantly; what did I plant when? What needs watering and cutting today? It’s therefore a brilliant activity to keep brains active, improve memory, and help combat serious conditions such as dementia.
5. It can provide great opportunities for socialising
Whether it’s helping a friend with their garden, inviting family to come and spend time in yours, or perhaps even a trip to a local garden centre for supplies, gardening provides plenty of opportunities to socialise. Seeing friends and family regularly is hugely important to your wellbeing – you can find out more about why community is so important to elderly people in our previous blog.
How Blossom Home Care helps clients stay active outside
We focus on positively impacting every aspect of a client’s wellbeing – a truly holistic approach designed to improve their mind, body and soul.
From social activities to full days out, we enable clients to continue enjoying their hobbies and interests as much as possible as part of a completely tailored care plan. Activities are based around the things that really stimulate a client’s interest or passion – with gardening being one of the most popular things our clients enjoy.
Rest assured our carers are always on hand to help clients with their green spaces, or enable trips to places such as parks and garden centres to put a smile on their face! As an additional benefit, these activities are logged in the Blossom Home Care app, allowing family members to see what their loved one has been enjoying during their time in our care.
Our life-affirming approach to caring for clients also helps prevent deteriorating health issues, dramatically improving their outlook and overall happiness; a positive mindset brings positive things.
Ready to experience a new level of care?
Blossom Home Care has an unbreakable commitment to delivering exceptional levels of service. If you want to find out more about how our superb carers can help your loved ones, please contact us today.
We look forward to helping you.
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