Seniors who are looking for a low-impact form of exercise they can do in the comfort of their own yards may want to consider gardening. The movements involved in tending to vegetables and flowers provide many benefits for a senior’s physical wellbeing. Here are a few of the ways your elderly loved one can boost his or her physical health through gardening.
Increases Endurance
Activities like lifting and digging enhance muscle tone, which can lead to increased endurance levels. Most experts recommend at least 30 minutes of gardening each day to build muscle. Seniors who live sedentary lifestyles should begin by working a few minutes at a time and then slowly building up to the full 30 minutes.
Engaging in enjoyable outdoor activities like gardening is a great way for seniors to stay mentally active and enhance their quality of life. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional in-home care. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Maintains Mobility
Seniors with arthritis can especially benefit from gardening as exercise because the movements involved in lifting, digging, and bending stretch and loosen the joints and muscles. Regular exercise can help seniors with arthritis experience fewer symptoms, and gardening can be modified for both safety and comfort. Along with modified activities, such as planting in a raised garden bed, your loved one can use ergonomic tools that prevent stress on the joints.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving around-the-clock senior home care. Phoenix, AZ, Assisting Hands Home Care are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
Burns Calories
Seniors who are overweight or those who must maintain a healthy weight for medical reasons can control their weight by eating a healthy diet and engaging in at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Gardening for 30 minutes can burn up to 300 calories, and your loved one can also break up the activity into two smaller sessions to reach his or her exercise goals, gardening for 15 minutes early in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening.
Fights Disease
Gardening has both physical and mental benefits. Daily gardening promotes overall feelings of wellness that can translate into reduced cortisol levels. Cortisol is often called the “stress hormone” because it’s released when a person is anxious, depressed, or under stress. High cortisol levels have been linked to heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. By reducing cortisol levels, gardening can lower your loved one’s blood pressure and decrease his or her risk of heart attack and stroke. If your loved one needs help with gardening tasks or other beneficial activities, consider hiring a home caregiver. Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional home care Phoenix seniors can trust and rely on. Rely on the professionals at Assisting Hands Home Care to provide high-quality compassionate care for your loved one. Give us a call today to learn about our flexible in-home care plans.
