Gardening is often thought of as just another pastime for seniors who want to add beauty to their living spaces. However, the physical exercise involved in tending a garden has tremendous health benefits for elderly people. Here are a few reasons your aging loved one might want to take up this healthy hobby.
Increases Dexterity
Seniors with arthritis often experience joint pain and stiffness. However, gardening offers a way to gently work the joints in the hands and knees without using too much pressure. Over time, consistent use of these areas of the body can keep them loose and reduce the risk of injuries.
Decreases Heart Disease Risk
A recent study conducted in Stockholm found seniors over 60 who gardened regularly reduced their risk of strokes and heart attacks by 30 percent, compared to those who didn’t garden. Gardening is a moderately intense exercise that can enhance heart health by increasing blood flow and reducing cholesterol.
Gardening is a wonderful activity for seniors with few physical limitations, but those with limited mobility may need other solutions. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
Prevents Osteoporosis
Outdoor gardeners can also enjoy receiving a boost to their vitamin D levels when they work in the sunshine. Although it’s important to protect your loved one’s skin, 10 minutes of exposure to the sun each day is all it takes to get enough vitamin D to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Reduces Stress Hormones
For seniors who no longer find running comfortable, gardening is a low-impact way to get endorphins flowing. Working in a garden lowers cortisol levels, which can impact more than just your loved one’s mood. Recently, high cortisol has been linked to serious health problems, such as obesity and decreased immune system function.
If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of homecare services. Clearwater Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services.
Helps with Weight Management
Weight management can become more challenging in late adulthood, and seniors with joint pain may be hesitant to exercise. Gardening requires gentle movements, such as walking, bending, and kneeling, all of which can help your loved one burn calories. Eating the food from the garden can also lead to better nutrition and keep weight off and the rest of the body functioning efficiently.
If you usually help your loved one exercise but need a break now and then, consider having a professional caregiver take over for you. Clearwater respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed. If you need professional at-home care for your loved one, Home Care Assistance is just a phone call away. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (727) 330-7862.