finding peace and purpose through plants
Restorative Blooms
Benefits of Nature Based Activities for Seniors
As social circles become smaller so do opportunities for seniors to find meaningful activities and ways to contribute to their community. All people need a sense of self-worth and purpose. Opportunities to connect with nature also becomes more difficult when faced with harsh weather, accessibility and lack of transportation. We know the health benefits are there; nature improves our mood, reduces stress/anxiety, boosts our immune system, exposure to vitamin D, and has positive effects on cognitive functioning.
Fosters Inclusivity:
Flower arranging and plant related activities can be enjoyed by people of all ages, abilities and skill levels. They can be done while standing, sitting at a table, seated in a wheelchair and while propped up in bed. It’s also an activity that can span generations, with grandchildren or students working alongside seniors.
Improves Mood:
Nature can generate positive emotions like calmness, joy and creativity. A 2005 behavioral study out of Rutgers University determined that flowers can improve emotional health, positively affect social behavior, and help us feel more overall satisfaction with life.
Reduces Stress, Anxiety and Depression:
Flowers and plants stimulate the senses and in doing so can trigger memories, encourage reminiscing and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. For these reasons, nature based activities are often a beneficial activity for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
Promotes Socialization:
As a person ages and their social circle gets smaller its easy to become withdrawn and experience boredom and lonliness. Researchers found that fostering social connections around nature-based activities can be connected to improved health and quality of life for seniors.
Improves Fine Motor Skills:
Fine motor skills tend to deteriorate with age as joint stiffness or swelling from conditions like arthritis attack the hands, causing fingers to become more rigid and less flexible. Cutting and arranging flowers can give fingers, thumbs and hands a gentle “workout”. Over time, flower arranging can also promote muscle memory, which can be useful for improving the body-mind connection.
Sense of Purpose:
Seniors need meaningful activities that bring purpose to their lives and boost their mental and physical health. Older adults who maintain purposeful lives can enhance their cognitive health.
Freedom of Choice:
Freedom of choice is at times lost once a senior is moved into an assisted living/memory care home.
Many residents are no longer able to do simple things like pour a cup of coffee, use the phone or fold their own laundry. This lack of independence can lead to depression and becoming withdrawn. The process of creating their own arrangements is an opportunity to restore some freedom of choice.
"Where flowers bloom so does hope"- Lady Bird Johnson