How gardening can help the elderly
Many people might be under the illusion that gardening is back-breaking work, only for the young and more mobile among us but they couldn’t be more wrong! Gardening is great for people of all ages and has many benefits for the mind and body.
Our carers regularly encourage service users to get into the garden if they can.
While gardening can be done alone, it’s always nice to do it as a group activity if you can. Great for combatting loneliness!
It’s also a great way to get outside into the fresh air and connect with the natural world.
You can burn up to 250 k/cal for every 30 minutes of digging you do, 195 k/cal mowing the lawn and 105 k/cal weeding and 100 k/cal raking. Beds, equipment and tools can all be modified for anyone who finds it difficult to get around too so there really is no excuse.
Gardening is great for taking your mind off things and getting away from the stresses and strains of life.
It’s also very satisfying growing your own food, reducing the food miles your fresh produce travels and, if you go organic, reducing the use of fertilisers and pesticides too.
Things for the elderly to remember when gardening:
- Stay protected from the sun – wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen, also drink plenty of water
- Store garden equipment safely – get someone to help you if needed
- Wear sensible footwear as you can be at risk of falls in the garden
- Don’t over do it – while gardening is great exercise, it’s important not to push yourself too much.
