With temperatures rising and trees starting to bloom, many across the country are daring to consider the idea that spring has sprung. While cold weather will likely make a comeback here and there, the calendar suggests its time to focus on spring and all of the pleasures surrounding this season.
Gardening is an important ritual of spring for many, and the activity provides healthy quality of life for participants of all ages, including seniors. A new study out recently was discussed this week by the Psychology Central news site, and the results suggest "gardening can add zeal and increase energy levels for older adults."
This may not be earth-shattering news for those familiar with getting their hands dirty each spring, and experiencing the joys associated with the process, but for seniors in assisted living facilities the opportunity to get out and tend to a garden cannot be taken for granted.
The positive impact of gardening is significant enough that the activity should be on the radar of all seniors with the time on their hands to get involved in the garden.
Psychology Central wrote:
"More than 75 percent of gardeners who participated in the survey rated their health as either ”very good” or ”excellent.” Gardeners also reported eating more fruit and vegetables because of their exposure to gardening. “These factors, in conjunction with higher physical activity, result in healthier lifestyles and increased quality of life,” said the research team behind the study.
Provision Living's Hattiesburg, MS, community recently started the Mockingbird Gardening Club, which has eight resident members participating in planning and assembling a garden at the facility.
The club members will take a field trip to a local nursery and choose the flowers and vegetables they'd like to see and enjoy. After the ground has been prepared the residents will be involved in the planting and upkeep of the garden. 
Glenn Nobles, activity director at the Hattiesburg community, says the initial steps have included residents planting seeds in paper cups to get started, and these efforts help to maintain hand-eye coordination. Additionally, the project helps the residents look forward to something special.
"The key word is anticipation," said Nobles, "seniors gain so much from being able to anticipate enjoyable, enriching activities, and they also can look ahead to having things like the pumpkins we're going to grow to use for centerpieces during the fall season, which everyone likes to imagine."
Other news and information sources, such as Patch.com's Bethwood, CT, site also recommend getting creative in involving seniors with gardening. Their story promotes the interesting idea of adopting an elder by taking time to reach out and include a senior in one's gardening efforts, as well as providing fresh produce from the garden.
This spring season, consider creative ways to engage local seniors in gardening. The benefits will likely grow all year long.
(Image Courtesy of kckellner on Flickr)
