Our Ask An Angel correspondent is Arlene Petersen, Certified Senior Advisor and Life Care Navigation Specialist in the area of senior home care.
Q. I miss doing some of the gardening I used to do when I lived in my own home. I can’t move like I used to, but I’d don’t want to give up working in the garden. Any suggestions?
A. I love to work outdoors and dig in the dirt as well. I do understand the limitations on the body, though! Our bodies may not want to cooperate, but that doesn’t mean we have to surrender our favorite things. There are many ways to participate in gardening that will bring the joy back into your life. Container gardening is the ideal situation to bring God’s creation into your life. Nature speaks to us on so many levels, doesn’t it? Here are some gardening tips for seniors:
Safety First! That means it is very important to warm up before gardening.
Simple chair stretches before you begin will help avoid the risk of hurting yourself.
Wear gloves, especially if you have delicate skin.
If it’s cold outside, dress warmly.
If it’s hot outside, work in the shade and wear breathable cotton clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.
Keep a bottle of water nearby. Keep yourself hydrated.
Avoid repetitive motions.
Do not remain in the same position for an extended period of time. Take breaks.
Use adaptive tools and/or lightweight tools to help you reach and dig. These will also reduce the risk of injury.
Containers can be placed on a raised surface so you don’t have to bend to do your gardening.
Start small with your container garden. Don’t get carried away with all the choices that you see at the garden shop. Buy one or two plants at a time, and go from there.
Soil is softer after it rains, so that might be a prime time to work on your garden.
Know your limits, and don’t overdo it.
Don’t forget the services of a non-medical home care agency. Once your dirt is in place, a caregiver can help sow seeds or pot plants where you want them and even help you maintain your flowers. The next step will be for you to enjoy the fruits of your labor!
If you think you might be doing some gardening sometime soon and would like a pair of free gardening gloves, please give me a call. We will have a limited number available at my office for you to pick up. If you are in my South Elgin neighborhood, I’d love to meet you!
Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177.
