Creating a nurturing and enriching environment in assisted living communities is essential for residents' physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
One often-overlooked yet immensely beneficial activity for seniors is the simple act of walking through a garden. These serene strolls provide an opportunity for gentle exercise and offer a wealth of sensory, cognitive, and social benefits. That's why it's said that walking might be the best exercise for older adults (Discovery Magazine).
Here's a closer look at why garden walks for seniors are an excellent activity and how they can enhance their quality of life.
Garden walks offer a low-impact exercise suitable for seniors of all mobility levels. Regular walking promotes physical health by improving cardiovascular fitness, increasing muscle strength, and enhancing joint flexibility.
For seniors who use walkers or wheelchairs, many assisted living communities have gardens designed with accessibility in mind, featuring smooth paths and wide spaces to accommodate mobility aids.
Spending time in nature has a profound impact on mental and emotional well-being. Assisted living outdoor activities like garden walks provide an opportunity for residents to experience tranquility, helping to reduce stress and improve mood.
Even being surrounded by small amounts of greenery and flowers has been shown to lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health). Unfortunately, we live in a world that is fast becoming an urbanized concrete jungle with very little greenery around.
That's why the benefits of walking in gardens are so many. For residents experiencing depression or anxiety, garden walks can be particularly therapeutic, offering a calming escape from every day worries.
Cognitive health is a priority for many assisted living residents, particularly those managing memory-related conditions like dementia or Alzheimer's. Garden walks engage the senses and stimulate the brain, which can help improve cognitive function.
Americans spend way too much time indoors (90% of their day), and that time only increases as we get older and less active (EPA). That's why it's so important to go for garden walks, since this can get us out of our standard sedentary routines and make us more active. This can stimulate our brains as well.
Some gardens are designed as memory care gardens, featuring specific plants and layouts intended to soothe and engage residents with cognitive challenges.
Assisted living communities thrive when residents feel connected to one another. Senior wellness programs like garden walks encourage social interaction, allowing residents to bond over shared experiences.
The garden becomes a gathering space where residents and visitors can connect in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
The therapeutic power of nature is well-documented, and garden walks provide a form of horticultural therapy that benefits both body and mind. Since time immemorial, humans have gone for long walks to give themselves solace during tough times or to build courage during hard emotional situations.
Gardens are perfect peaceful settings where residents can come to get away from the craziness of daily life and ground themselves into the present moment. It doesn't even need any special mantras or meditation rituals. Just walking a bit in a garden, can be so helpful.
For residents recovering from illness or surgery, garden walks can be an integral part of their rehabilitation process.
For many seniors, gardening or spending time outdoors was a cherished pastime before transitioning to assisted living. Nature therapy for elderly people in the form of garden walks allows them to reconnect with nature and rekindle those passions.
By providing access to gardens, assisted living communities honor residents' love of nature and encourage lifelong interests.
Garden walks don't just benefit residents-they're also a valuable resource for caregivers. Spending time in a natural setting helps caregivers reduce their own stress levels, which in turn enables them to provide better care.
By prioritizing green spaces, assisted living communities support the well-being of both residents and staff.
The design of the garden itself plays a crucial role in maximizing its benefits for assisted living residents. Therapeutic gardens are thoughtfully planned to enhance accessibility, safety, and engagement.
Here are some key features of therapeutic gardens:
Investing in well-designed gardens demonstrates a community's commitment to residents' overall well-being.
Garden walks are more than a pleasant pastime for assisted living residents-they're a powerful tool for enhancing physical health, emotional well-being, cognitive function, and social connections.
At LakeHouse Chippewa Falls, we offer a homey atmosphere for all our residents with a big backyard. A comfortable seating area, lush green lawns, and a shaded area complete the oasis.
We also offer activities like card and board games, church services, bingo, exercise classes, movie nights, men's groups, and live entertainment. Schedule a tour to see it all for yourself.