I was speaking with a friend of mine that owns an
Assisted Living Facility here in Florida and he was telling me about the plans
to redo the landscaping around the facility.
He had received a very good proposal from a very reputable landscape
company and he was very proud of the project.
“It’s going to be beautiful and I can’t wait to see it!” he told me with
pride and expectation in his voice. I
could see how excited he was as he described the different planting areas and
the types of flowers, bushes and shrubbery that were to be used. “Our residents will really enjoy this; it’s
really going to be something to see.”
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| (Photo credit: moodboardphotography) |
As he showed me the diagram and pointed out the
different planting areas, I noticed he had plans for a small garden with
sitting areas. I was very impressed when
he told me that area would be where his residents would do the planting and
gardening themselves. He had plans to
create a garden area where his residents would do all the work from start to
finish. It was going to be the focus of
the new garden club his activities director intended to start. I really like
this idea and want to share some thoughts with everyone on gardening for
seniors.
Not everyone enjoys working outdoors and getting
their hands dirty, but it can be great therapy!
Whether you own, manage or work in a Senior Facility or you care for an
elderly person, gardening can provide hours of enjoyment. Here are some suggestions:
- Form a
gardening club to announce the project-this will tell you the interest
level among your residents
- Choose an
area that your residents can landscape—you may want your maintenance
department to do the heavy prep work.
- Let the
residents design the beds—raised beds are always better for elderly so they
can sit comfortably as they plant and reduce bending and stooping.
- Allow them
to choose the plants and flowers—don’t forget seasonal vegetables!
- Take a
field trip to a local nursery to choose plants—a great outing!
- Have the
residents do the planting
- Develop a
schedule to weed, fertilize and water (volunteers)
Benefits:
- If you are
fortunate enough to live in a state like Florida, you can enjoy being
outside most of the year and gardening is a good reason to get outside!
- Gardening
can be good exercise and incorporates flexibility and balance from
stooping or squatting. (take care
that your residents are physically capable before starting)
- Studies
have shown gardening reduces stress and promotes relaxation—this can help
residents who struggle with sleep problems.
- Gardening
can also be a social activity and promote teamwork and promote bonding.
- It can also
promote a sense of accomplishment and pride which is often lost as we age.
- Gardening
can also give a person purpose and make them feel needed as they become
caretakers of the plants.
- You will
have fresh seasonal vegetables for cooking if you include them!
Concerns:
- Keep an eye
on your residents so that the exercise value of gardening doesn’t quickly
turn into strains, pulls or falls—it’s easy to overdo it!
- In states
like Florida, the sun is intense so make sure the gardening is done early
morning or late afternoon and there are shady areas for rest. Heat exhaustion and sunburn are always a
threat here in Florida so make sure every stays hydrated and covered!
- Make sure
tools are appropriate for the residents’ capabilities and are brightly
colored so they are easily found if mislaid.
- Keep
pathways clear and tools picked up to avoid falls.
- Pair
individuals with memory issues with someone who can help keep them on task
and be sure they are working in a secure area.
- Use raised
flowerbeds or planters to help with back strains.
Gardening will certainly remind most of your
residents of home and hopefully help them feel more at “home” in their senior
facility. It’s a great activity for
those who enjoy gardening and it may also give individuals who have never had a
garden an opportunity to experience something new. Keep in mind the planting, watering and
enjoying the beauty are the fun parts of gardening so you may need your
maintenance crew to take on the weeding!
Creating a garden space for your residents will take some planning and
work but I believe you will find the benefits and the enjoyment well worth the
effort.
If would like a list Assisted Living Facilities,
Nursing Homes or any other type of Senior Facility, I hope you will
consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com.
If you would like to contribute your thoughts and
ideas, please leave them in our comment section. We want to hear them. Helping
people care for themselves or their loved ones is what we care about.
We look forward to reading yours.
Bob Gregory is an advocate for
Seniors and is one of the founders of www.seniorfacilityfinder.com. At SeniorFacilityFinder.com, we are dedicated
to helping families get the Elder Care help they need without having to provide
their personal information! If find you need an assisted living facility or
other type of senior facility, please consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com
