Gardening activities aren’t just fun—they also promote physical and emotional health. For seniors, gardening can help promote calmness, a connection with nature, and a sense of fulfillment. It can also help them express their creativity. In addition, gardening can be a fun social activity (either one-on-one or in a group). And of course, growing vegetables at home can promote a healthy diet.
Let’s explore several enjoyable gardening activities that seniors can do with companion care aides or loved ones.
Plant an Herb Garden
Choose a selection of herbs to plant as seeds or starts. You can create a table-top or windowsill garden in a planter box, or plant one outdoors in a pot, raised bed, or right in the ground. You can also plant them in an assortment of small pots or even mason jars. Many herbs, like basil, lemon balm, and marjoram, grow well both indoors and outdoors. Choose herbs you like to cook with (or use for tea!).
Create a Terrarium
You can use any clear container for a terrarium, like an old aquarium or fish bowl—stop by your local thrift store to find one. To create a terrarium, use decorative stones, glass, or gravel as a base, adding activated charcoal to prevent fungi from growing on them. Place sheet moss above the stones and add potting soil above it. Then you’re ready to plant anything you like, from succulents to ferns and colorful flowers.
Visit a Farmers’ Market
Stop by a local farmers’ market or plant sale to buy vegetable starts or ornamental plants. The Asheville Botanical Garden and the North Carolina Arboretum hold plant sales, for instance. Seniors can enjoy picking out interesting varieties or old favorites and watching them grow! Check a planting calendar for your area to ensure you’re planting at the right times.
Make a Bee Hotel
Did you know that North Carolina has about 560 species of bees? Nurture your pollinators by creating small habitats for them. To do this, tie together bundles of hollow sticks, reeds, or bamboo canes. (Pre-cut them to size before starting the activity.) Then, place them in a can or a coffee cup, adding more pieces as needed until they’re firmly fixed in place. Use a cord to hang your bee hotel from a tree or post!
Plant a Vertical Garden
Vertical gardens can be easy to tend to, requiring less bending and reaching. Plus, they use space efficiently and make a great wall decoration in a space that gets plenty of sun. You can purchase a vertical garden structure like a tiered plant ladder, or place a trellis in a pot and grow climbing plants like pole beans or peas.
Gardening activities can particularly benefit seniors with dementia, bringing mental stimulation along with the social and emotional benefits mentioned above. Home care professionals can integrate fun activities like these into your loved one’s daily routine.
Learn how elder care can support your loved one’s needs—schedule a free nurse consultation call today.
