Creating a beautiful and accessible garden for seniors living in retirement communities helps improve quality of life. At Karidis, our villages allow our residents to create and nurture their very own backyard gardens. We’re passionate about helping residents stay active and nurture their hobbies once they enter retirement living in Adelaide.
Benefits of Gardening for Seniors
Settling into retirement villages in Adelaide doesn’t mean residents have to give up beloved past times like gardening. With the right design, retirement communities can help residents continue enjoying the activity while benefiting from the low impact exercise, mental stimulation, stress relief and regular dose of fresh air and sunlight. Our Norfolk Estate village has a large community garden, with fresh fruit and veg, nurtured by our residents, promoting activity and socialisation. Below, we look at some ways to make gardening more accessible to seniors.
Raised Garden Beds
One of the hardest aspects of gardening when getting older is having to bend over to reach the ground for tasks like weeding, trimming and harvesting. Raised garden beds allow for much easier access and limit the risk of back and shoulder strains or falls.
Accessible Pathways
Reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls with neat, accessible pathways that are easy to navigate. This includes using smooth, solid, flat surfaces like concrete that can be used by people using canes, walkers and wheelchairs. Ensure areas around pathways are well landscaped for maximum visibility and safety.
Plenty of Seating
Ensure garden and landscaping areas offer plenty of seating areas for seniors. This includes comfy seats in shady areas where you can observe and enjoy the area as well as close to work areas to offer a convenient resting spot while gardening. You could even have some seating right next to raised garden beds for a more leisurely gardening experience.
Accessible Tools
Working soil can take a lot of work. Using long handled tools can prevent back strain from bending over and make gardening easier by providing more leverage. Coloured tape or paint on different tool handles can also be a good way to make them easier to identify and locate.
Stay Active With Gardening at Our Retirement Communities in Adelaide
Karidis retirement villages are designed to offer active, healthy living for over 55’s. Join a socially-oriented community with great amenities like swimming pools, gyms and a roster of activities, including gardening, across 12 locations in Adelaide. Contact us today to learn more.
