Health Benefits of Gardening for Seniors

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How Gardening Benefits Elderly Health in Anchorage, AK

Growing and tending a garden is one of the most rewarding and healthy activities your senior loved one can participate in. Anchorage home care experts want to share some of the reasons he or she might want to take up this hobby.

Physical Activity

Working in a garden provides exercise without being an intense workout. Gardening keeps the entire body active because it requires bending down, getting back up, and using tools. It can keep your loved one’s motor skills sharp, increase circulation, and can even lead to greater strength and endurance if done daily. Gardening is also a great stress-reducer. When combined with fresh air it promotes a good night’s sleep so your loved one has time to relax and prepare for another day of activity.

Seniors with limited mobility can still benefit from gardening if they use carts to transport their soil and plants or stools so they’re not constantly on their feet. An Anchorage hourly caregiver can also assist with gardening tasks if your loved one needs additional help. Gardening is a safe way to stay physical because it offers the benefits of regular exercise without having to leave the yard. If your loved one unexpectedly becomes fatigued, he or she only needs to walk to the house to rest.

Natural Food

The size of the garden can be as small or as big as your loved one wants it to be, ranging from a smaller container garden that is easy to care for to a larger vegetable garden that supplies a variety of healthy foods. The latter may be an especially appealing option because many seniors live on a tight budget and find it difficult to maintain a healthy diet. Growing food independently is not only great exercise, but it’s a realistic and simple way to save money while focusing on eating healthier.

Sense of Purpose

After retirement, it is easy for seniors to become inactive, falling into an uninspiring daily routine that can leave them feeling unfulfilled. Gardening is one of the best cures for this situation because it gives your loved one a project to look forward to each day and be proud of, which can boost his or her emotional wellbeing.

If your loved one needs a helping hand in the garden or assistance with other daily activities, reach out to Home Care Assistance. Our caregivers are available 24/7 to help with exercise and mobility, meal prep, and much more. We also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, stroke, and Parkinson’s care Anchorage families trust. For more information on our senior care services, call one of our qualified Care Managers at (907) 770-0907 to schedule a free in-home consultation.

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