Lots of seniors love to garden, but some who decide to move into communities may think they have to give up their favorite hobby because they no longer have a yard. However, this is far from the truth. There are many communities that provide residents with the opportunity to continue gardening, even after leaving their private homes. You just have to find the one that’s right for your loved one and offers the right amenities. While seniors enjoy gardening, there are some advantages to gardening that you might not realize. 

In this blog post, we'll explore six surprising benefits of gardening for seniors that you may not have considered before. From improved cognitive functioning to greater self-esteem, learn how gardening can bring joy and well-being to seniors. Knowing these benefits in advance can help you find the right senior living community for your loved one to continue their hobby.

Lower Stress Levels

One of the factors that contribute to the mental and physical decline in seniors is stress. Some common stress symptoms are anxiety, irritability, tension, and insomnia. When a senior is in a constant state of stress, they're less likely to be able to engage in normal everyday tasks. They will become more prone to depression and other mental health issues. 

Although it can be challenging, a simple way to manage stress is by engaging in activities like gardening. Gardening provides an outlet for frustration, helps them feel less isolated, and gives them something productive to do with their time. Also, these activities will make them feel closer to nature, which can help them feel calm, relaxed, and mentally refreshed.

Exposure to the Sun

While it is true that sunlight can aggravate certain skin conditions, it can also provide many benefits to people, especially the senior ones. First and foremost, exposure to sunlight will help them get the adequate amount of vitamin D they need in order to stay healthy. Vitamin D is a nutrient that is essential for the body to absorb calcium and phosphorus from food. Without an adequate supply of vitamin D, your senior loved one will be prone to weakening bones (osteoporosis), arthritis, and osteomalacia, amongst other conditions. Vitamin D can be obtained by consuming foods high in vitamin D, such as salmon and eggs. But if you know your senior loves gardening, there's an easy way to get this vitamin from the sun.

However, your senior loved one needs to make sure that they are well-protected. They must wear a hat and clothing that protects them from the sun. You should also make sure that they are not subjected to excessive sun exposure, especially when you know that your senior loved one has skin conditions.

Sense of Purpose

A sense of purpose in seniors is extremely important. It will help seniors to remain happier and healthier. If a senior feels their life is pointless, it can lead to feelings of loneliness, depression, and despair. It can also affect their overall well-being adversely. 

Gardening has a proven track record of providing many seniors with the sense of purpose they need in order to stay young and active in the community they live in. It gives them the opportunity to build a positive relationship with the environment and plants. It also gives them something to look forward to every day.

Ideal Physical Exercise

Seniors need regular physical activity in order to remain physically healthy and avoid conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. However, most known exercises require a person to exert a lot of energy, and your senior loved one may not have enough strength to do that. 

Gardening is a great way to get plenty of physical activity while staying active at the same time. Gardening doesn't require a lot of strength; instead, it makes use of the senses and body coordination. 

Lower Risk of Dementia

Gardening has both mental and physical demands. The activity needs critical thinking and problem-solving since your senior loved one has to think about what she is going to plant, how she will take care of them, and how she will deal with various problems that may arise.

It keeps an aging mind healthy and active, which can be beneficial for lowering the risk of developing dementia and other mental health issues. Gardening also helps your elderly loved one who already has dementia because it stimulates several senses at once, thus helping seniors connect to the present physical environment.

Enhances Social Relationships

Since, in most cases, gardening is an outdoor activity, it's an excellent way for your senior loved ones to interact with other people. It also allows your loved one to talk to various people and exchange some helpful gardening tips as well. In addition, it's a low-cost activity and will take up little time that is worthy of engaging in something fun with other people.

Gardening can be a great way for seniors to stay active and engaged in their later years. Not only is it a low-impact form of exercise, but it also provides a sense of purpose, social interaction, and a connection with nature. With these 6 surprising benefits of gardening for seniors, it's no wonder it has become popular in senior living communities. Whether a container garden or a larger plot, gardening can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for seniors of all ages.

To learn more about how Sunbound can help make senior living more affordable for you or your loved one, send us an email at info@sunboundhomes.com or request more information on Sunbound. Sunbound is the best way to pay for senior living and is on a mission to make senior living affordable for everyone.

Author Bio

Evelyn K. Grier is a blog contributor for SpringHive Digital Marketing Agency, a website design company, where she writes content for their clients' blogs and websites. She is also a health and wellness enthusiast writing content for Serenity Senior Care, a site that provides tips on how to take care of elderly family members and how to help them stay independent. When she's not writing, she can be seen shopping, attending church, and taking walks with her dog. She also has a passion for anything to do with the outdoors, so she enjoys camping, gardening, and hiking.