Gardening tips for seniors

Gardening is an enjoyable pastime and benefits seniors in many ways. It is a therapeutic activity that promotes good health, wellbeing and relaxation.

It also is an excellent form of exercise for mobility, flexibility, strength and endurance. This type of activity also helps prevent such medical conditions as osteoporosis and reduces stress levels.

Here are some advice for seniors who garden or want to start gardening.

• Warm up: doing this will help reduce muscle soreness you may feel later on.
• Keep yourself hydrated: drink plenty of liquids and avoid alcohol.
• Be sun safe: always wear sun protecting gear such as hat, long sleeved shirt and sunscreen and garden in the morning or afternoon to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
• Be careful with power tools: even small ones can burden worn or weary hands
• Use adaptive tools: tools can be modified to suit the needs of older people.
• Memory: If your loved one’s memory is becoming affected, securing gates and fences can help keep them safe while still allowing them to care for their garden.

It is important to know your limitations and don’t push yourself. If you start to feel fatigued, take a break for a few moments.
Photo by mohammad saemian on Unsplash