Alicia Seaver is the Vice President of Memory Care Operations for EPOCH Senior Living and a Certified Memory Impairment Specialist. Every month, she addresses a specific issue related to memory and memory care. If you’re interested in hearing about a particular topic, please send a note to [email protected].
Q: I want to make sure my loved one with dementia is getting enough stimulation, and I’ve heard a lot about the benefits of gardening. What makes this such a good activity for seniors, especially those with dementia?
A: Gardening is a very popular activity for all age groups for many reasons. One, it’s fun – especially when you see the fruits of your labor come to life. Second, it’s easy – meaning that just about anyone with any level of ability can do it. For those with dementia, there’s the added benefit of exercise and sensory stimulation, along with being connected with the natural world.
Gardening has surprising, indirect health benefits that go far beyond growing pretty flowers or producing delicious fruits and vegetables. Besides the stimulation and exercise benefits it provides, gardening can also make us more engaged, happier and healthier. It’s especially important for people with dementia to participate in meaningful activities that also help exercise their remaining abilities, and gardening checks all those boxes and then some. Here are just some of the benefits that gardening provides:
It increases happiness.
Research has shown that gardening boosts our body’s production of serotonin, which increases our happiness, gives us a feeling of peace and calm and can also help lessen depression symptoms. There’s even a phrase for this: “horticulture therapy.” Since gardening is an activity that doesn’t produce winners or losers, it’s a great way for individuals with dementia to feel accomplished and self-fulfilled.
It lowers stress.
Boosted serotonin results in lowered levels of cortisol, which is the hormone produced when we’re experiencing stress. This is for a variety of reasons: the exercise benefits, being outside in the fresh air, the feeling of accomplishment and so much more.
It helps our hearts stay healthy.
Any form of exercise is good for our heart, and gardening provides a well-rounded, low-impact form of exercise that is gentle enough for people with lessened abilities, like those with dementia. There is definitely an aerobic level of gardening that comes from moving, lifting and digging. These actions also help increase strength and resistance, which helps keep muscle tone and improve bones. Plus, being out in the sun gives us a good boost of vitamin D, which has been proven to help reduce the risk of heart disease.
It helps improve and retain cognitive abilities.
Even those with dementia – especially those with dementia – benefit from activities that stimulate all the senses and gets the neurons in the brain firing. We’ve seen that those with dementia who garden have an increased quality of life while also experiencing a lessening of unwanted behaviors.
It improves your immune system.
All these benefits (and more) help increase overall health (emotional, physical and mental), which do wonders for boosting our immune system. Seniors are more susceptible to illness than younger people, and anything that can help keep them healthier is a good thing. Plus, there’s a bacterium called mycobacterium vaccae that’s found in common garden soil and has been proven to reduce symptoms and risk of allergies, psoriasis, asthma and even depression.
It provides a fun way to “grow your own food.”
Depending on what you’re planting, you may be able to incorporate what you’ve grown – whether it’s herbs, fruit or vegetables – into your daily meals. Cooking dinner together with your loved is another stimulating activity that engages multiple senses, and being able to join these two activities by using homegrown ingredients is an added benefit!
Gardening doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking for your loved one. If neither of you have a green thumb, start small with plants in containers, or perhaps a small herb garden (herbs are fairly hearty). Or you can purchase already assembled arrangements and maintain them. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to garden – all that matters is that you and your loved one with dementia are having a fulfilling, enjoyable time.
Enhancing Quality of Life
Bridges® by EPOCH communities have been developed from the ground up to anticipate, meet and exceed the needs of our residents and their families. Our team of remarkable people, the exceptional care and services we offer and the purposeful design of our buildings all combine to create the most rewarding, secure and nurturing lifestyle possible for our residents.
We understand the concern families feel about ensuring quality of life for loved ones. That’s why, at Bridges® by EPOCH, we offer a wellness-centered lifestyle that focuses on reinforcing individual strength, so residents enjoy heightened confidence and self-esteem. Ultimately, we provide everything residents need to thrive and rediscover a life with purpose.
Inspiration for Success
At our Bridges® by EPOCH communities, we work closely with families to gain necessary insight and deeper understanding into the lives of our residents upon admission. With this initial information, along with what our exceptional team members learn about our residents each and every day, we are best prepared to provide highly individualized programming for our residents.
Bridges® by EPOCH is New England’s largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.