By Jill Moore, Director of Resident Programs at Golden West
Moving to a senior living community can be difficult. The process of choosing a community and downsizing can be daunting on its own, but add in the common worry of losing one’s independence or sense of purpose, and the experience becomes downright overwhelming.
For nearly a decade, Golden West residents ages 62 to 90 have found a way to combat those anxieties by laying down roots at our community—literally. During the growing season, they tend plots in our community garden, sharing the beauty and bounty with other residents.
In the same way that gardening helps to ease seasonal transitions, many of our residents have found that working in our community garden has helped ease their transition to senior living, saying it provided a bridge to carry old hobbies to their new home. “Those who have loved nature all their lives get a chance to continue on with this garden,” said resident Priscilla Gifford.
Community gardening has become increasingly popular over the last few years within senior living communities, and it’s easy to see why. At any age, gardening is hugely beneficial, providing a relaxing form of low-impact exercise and rewards in the form of delicious vegetables or decorative flowers. Being in the sun for even brief periods of time is an excellent source of Vitamin D, and it’s well known that gardening has a positive effect on memory, physical ability and mental health.
We treasure the opportunity to provide our residents with such an outlet, even for non-gardeners who enjoy the shaded seating and butterfly garden. Our residents make our garden a great space for all, and we’ll continue to enjoy it in as many ways as we can. Keep an eye out for our summer events held around the garden, and feel free to stop by to take a look at the lovely place so many people call home.
Photos: Resident Elizabeth shows off her lavender. Resident June tends to her roses, her favorite flower.
Resources: www.aplaceformom.com/blog/2013-11-12-biggest-fears-of-seniorliving/; www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/ gardening-exercise; www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24722592; www.psychologytoday.com/blog/worry-and-panic/201505/petal-powerwhy-is-gardening-so-good-our-mental-health/; msue.anr.msu.edu/news/what_are_the_physical_and_mental_benefits_of_gardening