Gardening is one of the healthiest activities seniors can participate in. Getting out in the sun, being active, and reaping the tasty and nutritional benefits are all solid reasons your senior loved one should consider gardening as a hobby. Here are some specific physical benefits your loved one can gain.
Vitamin D
New studies suggest nearly 75 percent of Americans are deficient in vitamin D. For seniors, this vitamin deficiency can increase the risk of osteomalacia, heart disease, diabetes, and even certain forms of cancer. Spending just an hour or two a week gardening out in the sun is often enough to reverse this deficiency. Since seniors are at high risk for skin cancer, your loved one should always wear sunscreen on his or her face, neck, and arms whenever going outside.
Exercise
Many adults tend to lose interest in exercising as they grow older because options such as walking on a treadmill or swimming a few laps can become repetitive. This is why so many health experts suggest outdoor activities like gardening for a fun and engaging way to get in some exercise. On average, light gardening burns between 200 and 400 calories an hour while engaging all the major muscle groups.
Fun outdoor activities like gardening are great ways for seniors to stay 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 home care. Ambience In-Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Nutritious Food
Every senior’s diet should be filled with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Maintaining a small garden at home can provide your loved one with produce throughout the year no matter what kind of climate he or she lives in. In addition to meeting all of their daily nutritional requirements, seniors who grow their own food can also avoid harsh pesticides and other chemicals used on commercial crops.
Home caregivers can help seniors prepare nutritious meals with the vegetables and herbs they grow in their gardens. Richardson respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.
Flexibility, Mobility, & Balance
Falls remain the leading cause of injuries among seniors. One of the reasons these accidents are so common is because many seniors have difficulty with mobility, flexibility, and balance as they grow older. Gardening can stimulate cartilage repair, increase balance, and even slow the rate of muscle degeneration.
If your loved one needs help with gardening tasks or other beneficial activities, consider hiring a home caregiver. In Richardson, elderly home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Ambience In-Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. Our caregivers encourage seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your loved one, call us at (469) 573-4213 today.