Gardening is an ideal hobby for seniors as it keeps them active and provides them with a sense of purpose. However, not all seniors have space for a garden or the mobility to take care of one, which is where herb gardening comes in. Herb gardening doesn’t require a lot of space or movement, but the results are something seniors can be proud of. In addition, with the help and support of companion care at home services, they can experiment with using the herbs they grow in multiple ways.
Benefits of Herb Gardening
Gardening, even on a small scale, offers significant health benefits for seniors. The gentle movements involved in planting, watering, and pruning herbs provide light exercise that can improve fine motor skills and hand strength. For seniors dealing with conditions like arthritis, these low-impact activities can be particularly beneficial.
Additionally, the sense of accomplishment from nurturing living plants contributes to improved mental well-being and can help combat feelings of isolation or depression. Herb gardening also stimulates cognitive functioning as seniors learn about the various herbs they can grow and how to use them in their daily lives.
How Companion Care at Home Helps Support Herb Gardening for Seniors
Companion care at home is instrumental in many ways, helping seniors complete daily living tasks that might be too strenuous for one reason or another. In addition, they also provide much-needed companionship and encouragement to try new things, such as herb gardening.
Some specific ways companion care at home providers can help seniors be successful in their new venture include the following:
- Assist with initial garden setup, including selecting appropriate containers and finding the best lighting.
- Help with physical tasks like filling pots with soil, planting herbs, and watering.
- Provide ongoing support in monitoring plant health and managing garden maintenance.
- Engage seniors in conversation about their plants, encouraging cognitive stimulation.
Adaptive Gardening Techniques
In order to make herb gardening accessible for all, seniors may need to incorporate adaptive gardening techniques, such as the following:
- Using raised containers or elevated gardens to reduce bending if the herb garden is outside
- Selecting ergonomic gardening tools with larger handles
- Implementing self-watering systems to simplify plant care
From Garden to Table: Using the Herbs
One of the most rewarding aspects of herb gardening is the opportunity to enhance home cooking. Companion care at home and seniors can approach this in a few ways. First, they may find recipes they want to try and plant specific herbs, or they can go about it the opposite way.
Either way, companion care at home caregivers can help seniors with the following:
- Learning simple herb identification and harvesting techniques
- Discovering new recipes that incorporate fresh herbs
- Experimenting with flavor combinations
- Understanding basic herb preservation methods, like drying or freezing
Beyond cooking, seniors might also enjoy learning to make soaps, lotions, sachets, and more with the herbs they grow.
Recommended Herbs for Beginners
Some easy-to-grow herbs perfect for seniors include:
- Basil: Quick-growing and versatile in cooking
- Mint: Hardy and thrives in various conditions
- Chives: Requires minimal maintenance
- Rosemary: Fragrant and drought-resistant
- Parsley: Nutritious and adds flavor to many dishes
Herb gardening represents more than just a hobby—it’s a holistic approach to senior wellness. It combines physical activity, mental engagement, nutritional benefits, and the pure joy of creating something beautiful and delicious. With the support of companion care at home, seniors can take full advantage of herb gardening to see if it is the right hobby for them.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Companion Care at Home in Ladue, MO, please contact the caring staff at Pear Tree Home Care today! (314) 942-9411
Pear Tree Home Care Provides Senior Home Care Services in St. Louis, Ladue, Chesterfield, Town and Country, Clayton, Des Peres, St. Charles, Wildwood, Brentwood, Maryland Heights, Lake St. Louis, O’Fallon, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Arnold, Oakville, Mehlville, Creve Coeur, St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Franklin County, Warren County, Jefferson County, and surrounding areas.
Sources:
- https://ngb.org/adaptive-gardening-at-any-age/#:~:text=Time%20management%20is%20an%20important,telling%20you%20to%20slow%20down.
- https://agefearlessacademy.com/ultimate-guide-adaptive-gardening-for-seniors/
- https://greatergoodhealth.com/patients/benefits-of-gardening-for-seniors/
- https://www.parkseed.com/blog/benefits-of-growing-an-herb-garden
At Pear Tree we’re innovators. Our goal, to create a family of caregivers looking to provide a one of a kind experience to our clientele.
In 2016, our founders noticed a key problem in home care industry that everyone seemed to be ignoring.
It’s too systematic. Home care isn’t one size fits all. Just like people aren’t one size fits all.
That’s where Pear Tree comes in.
We yearn for you to have the best possible care for your loved ones and the peace of mind that comes with knowing they aren’t only in good hands. They’re in great hands. Because, in the end, that’s what we’d want for our family.
It’s proven. When the home care experience is immersive and personalized, you’re going to produce better success rates with healthier family members.
Please, join us in our journey of revolutionizing the home care industry and creating lasting relationships along the way.
This is not the first Home Care agency for Pat, she was the Director of nursing for Kimberly Nurses in 1980 and after the tragic passing of the companies president she opened and co-founded American Nursing Resources Home Health Agency. Pat opened and passed Medicare certification for ANRHHA Clayton and Washington, MO offices.
For Zachary, the name “Pear Tree” is a tribute to his beloved late friend; Wade Abbadessa. Wade worked at his family’s famous restaurant “The Pear Tree” in Macon, until his tragic death in September 2014. Wade lost his battle with a rare form of bone cancer at the young age of 26. His legacy will live on through our company.
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