The Benefits of Senior Gardening

Health Benefits of Gardening for Seniors

Gardening affords us time in fresh air and helps us connect with the environment. Many health benefits accrue as we nurture our flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Here are some benefits we gain from this popular activity.

Physical Health Benefits

• Gardening is good exercise. While you may not be running a 5k, bending, squatting, and pulling weeds takes physical energy. Digging and raking can elevate you into a moderate activity level. Any type of exercise is good for the body, and can help slow down the aging process. You might want to get some stretches in before you head outside to avoid straining a back muscle. And don’t forget sunscreen!
• Gardening is good for balance. By improving coordination and balance, gardening contributes to a lower risk of falling, says the Greater Good newsletter from University of California, Berkeley.1 In fact, according to one published study, those who gardened had significantly better balance and gait speed. They also had fewer limitations and chronic conditions than nongardeners.2
• Gardening encourages healthy eating. After harvesting healthy herbs and fresh produce that is rich in nutrients, we are more likely to incorporate the delicious fruits of our labor into a healthy diet. Eating from our gardens enables older adults to spend less, too.
• Gardening improves sleep. Spending time outdoors in the sun can help regulate your body's circadian rhythms, which can lead to better sleep. Horticultural therapy in one study significantly improved the quality of sleep in seniors.3
• Gardening boosts the immune system. According to the BBC, dirt outside contains friendly microorganisms that helps our immune systems deal with allergies, asthma, and even depression. So, go ahead and get your hands dirty. It’s good for you!4
• Gardening helps seniors connect with nature. Plenty of scientific evidence has proven the healing powers of being in nature. One study showed that nature-based interventions contributed significantly to maintaining and enhancing functional abilities in seniors, which improved their health, quality of life, and well-being.5

Social Benefits

• Gardening enhances social connections. People may stop to converse with you while you’re gardening. Often, gardeners share their extra tomatoes with neighbors or flowers with their local hospitals. Some seniors enjoy joining a gardening club or being a member of a community or neighborhood garden. Gardening can foster socialization in many ways.

Mental Health Benefits

• Gardening relieves stress. Gardening and enjoying green spaces creates significant mental health benefits, too. Being around green spaces reduces stress. It also lowers anxiety and blood pressure.7
• Gardening increases serotonin levels. Gardening lowers our cortisol level and raises our serotonin level. Serotonin is called the “happy chemical,” as it contributes to feeling happy and calm. So, gardening is a good activity to lift your mood.
• Gardening increases self-esteem. An Australian study consisting of older adults with a home or community garden found that these gardeners gained psychosocial benefits, a sense of pride about their gardens, and a positive attitude about aging.8
• Gardening stimulates the brain. Gardening requires both fine and gross motor skills. Additionally, identifying plant varieties, planning garden layouts, and scheduling watering all challenge memory and help with problem-solving abilities. Seniors benefit by maintaining their dexterity, improving hand-eye coordination, and stimulating cognitive function.
• Gardening lowers the risk of dementia. Gardening outside is a feast for your senses and keeps your brain function going. As your brain activity chugs along, it can potentially promote neuroplasticity and improve cognitive function, thereby decreasing the risk of dementia.9

Gardening for Seniors with Alzheimer's and Dementia

While gardening can help lower the risk of dementia, it can also serve as a form of therapy for those dealing with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. Some memory care facilities use therapeutic gardens to help residents better stimulate their senses and increase their feeling of peacefulness and well-being.

The calm surroundings of the garden also provide a serene environment for those dealing with memory issues. Many gardens for those suffering memory loss are purposely designed in a figure-eight shape or continuous loop to prevent confusion. This allows patients to walk without encountering dead ends or mistakenly wandering off, reducing their anxiety and the worries of their family members.

If Alzheimer’s residents previously found great joy in gardening before memory problems ensued, returning to gardening can provide a sense of comfort and bring them happiness again.

Gardening in Senior Living Facilities

As we mentioned, facilities dedicated to memory care often have beautiful gardens. They stimulate the senses and create calming feelings. The colors, textures, and scents of a garden can evoke positive memories.

Community Gardens

Some retirement facilities offer community gardens, which encourage everyone to come together. Seniors can eat what they sow together, reaping the health benefits of gardening. They also forge communal bonds, making new friendships and staying connected to those around them.

Gardening For Those With Limited Mobility

Seniors with limited mobility or who are not as agile as they used to be can still benefit from gardening. These specific gardening activities lend themselves perfectly, for example, to those in nursing homes. Residents can work, for example, on potted or tabletop gardens. Or they can tend to low-hanging plants and flower boxes. Facilities, of course, vary, but some senior communities allow residents to plant seeds in small pots and watch them grow on a windowsill in their room.