Gardening is good for you in so many ways!

Author

McKenney Home Care SWFL & MSC

For more information about the author, click to view their website: McKenney Home Care

Posted on

Sep 11, 2023

Book/Edition

Florida - Sarasota, Bradenton & Charlotte Counties , Florida - Southwest

Anybody who’s ever weeded a row of turnips, planted petunias, or mowed a thriving lawn knows that gardening can be hard work. That hard work pays off in more ways than having the best roses on the block or a tasty salad. Gardening in its various forms has a multitude of benefits:

Increase hand strength, body strength, and flexibility[1]
Improve hand-eye coordination[2]
Burn calories. If it makes you sweat, it counts as exercise.
Promote mental and physical stimulation and may help preserve cognitive health[3]
One of the biggest benefits is if you’re a vegetable gardener, you get to eat what you sow

Gardening is a way to socially connect across generations and with the great outdoors. Introducing children or grandchildren to gardening with their own little plot or even just helping with the watering (what kid doesn’t like to play with the garden hose?) can create a bond.

While gardening, people also need to keep safety in mind by rotating garden tasks to avoid repetitive movements. An example might be after 15 minutes of raking, change to pruning for a while. This helps to prevent aggravating muscles by using the same ones over and over. Grab a trowel and get growing!

[1] Park, S., & Shoemaker, C. Observing body position of older adults, while gardening for health benefits and risks. Activities, Adaptations & Aging, 33; 31-38.

[2] D’Andrea, S. J., Batavia, M., & Sasson, N. (2007). Effect of horticultural therapy on preventing the decline of mental abilities of patients with Alzheimer’s type dementia. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, 18, 9–17.

[3] Infantino, M. (2004). Gardening: A strategy for health promotion in older women. Journal of the New York State Nurses Association, 35(2), 10–17.

Gardening is good for you in so many ways!

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Non-Medical 871 Venetia Bay Blvd., Venice, Florida, 34285

McKenney Home Care is a trusted provider of personalized home care services in Southwest Florida, committed to helping seniors maintain independence and quality of life in the comfort of their own homes. With a highly trained, compassionate team, McKenney Home Care offers a range of services, including companion care, skilled nursing, and specialized support for those with Alzheimers, dementia, or chronic conditions. Their client-centered approach ensures that every care plan is tailored to meet unique needs, from short-term recovery to ongoing care. McKenney Home Care is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of clients and providing peace of mind for families through reliable, high-quality in-home care solutions.McKenney Home Care offers a comprehensive range of in-home services designed to meet the unique needs of each client. Their services include:Personal Care Assistance: Bathing, dressing, grooming, and hygiene supportCompanion Care: Engaging companionship, socialization, and assistance with daily activitiesSkilled Nursing: Medication management, injections, wound care, and other medical services provided by licensed nursesAlzheimers and Dementia Care: Specialized support for memory care needs with compassionate, trained caregiversChronic Condition Management: Care plans tailored to clients with chronic conditions, including Parkinsons, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseaseHospital-to-Home Transition: Assistance with the transition from hospital to home, including follow-up care and support for recoveryEnd-of-Life and Hospice Support: Compassionate care focused on comfort and quality of lifeRespite Care: Temporary care to provide relief for primary caregiversTransportation and Errands: Safe transport for appointments, errands, and outingsMeal Preparation and Nutrition: Nutritious meal planning, preparation, and feeding assistance as neededLight Housekeeping and Home Safety: Assistance with household tasks to maintain a safe, clean environment