At CRISTA Senior Living in Shoreline and Silverdale, WA, we know that gardening enriches life. Our residents have ample opportunity to sink their hands into fresh soil and grow beautiful plants and flowers.
One of our residents, Verlynn, at Crista Shores in Silverdale, WA said, When working our Crista Shores Pea Patch, you don’t just get vegetables and flowers, although that is great, you are also rewarded with sun, fresh air, exercise, and the companionship and advice of fellow pea patchers!
We completely agree! And we know that, as we age, it becomes increasingly important to engage in activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. According to the National Institute of Health, gardening is an ideal activity that enriches the lives of seniors.
Studies have shown that gardening and being in nature reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and slows our heart rate. It is a great way to be physically active at your own pace, and it helps to build muscle and balance. One study found that moderate to heavy gardening for four or more hours a week significantly reduced mortality in a group of middle-aged to older men with heart disease.
Being in a garden evokes fond memories of younger years. This is especially true in CRISTA’s Garden of Memories, a rose garden in which roses have been purchased in memory of loved ones no longer with us. Memories that come to light in a garden can help bridge the past with the present and bring meaning to life, something especially helpful for those with memory loss or dementia.
Nurturing plants and seeing them flourish is a creative and rewarding experience that brings joy. Seniors are mentally stimulated as they plan gardens and tend them. Gardening brings a sense of purpose and accomplishment to all of us, and seniors especially.
Belonging to a gardening group and working with others reduces isolation. At CRISTA Senior Living in Shoreline, Mary Beth Peterson and Gloria Shults lead a team of residents who care for Garden of Memories, and anyone is welcome to help.
CRISTA Senior Living in Shoreline, WA is located in the middle of a 56-acre campus of fir trees, open lawns, wooded trails, and gardens. Residents can easily take a daily walk or tend to a raised flower bed on the grounds. Many also enjoy container gardening on their balconies and patios.
During COVID, Garden of Memories became a place of spiritual refreshment and gathering for church. Residents sang and listened to sermons from their balconies and patios facing the garden. Then, and now, it is also a place for family visits and quiet walks of reflection.
When you see and smell the roses it is easy to feel the blessings of God’s presence because it is all around you! It is a place where you can sit, rest, and feel cared for,
said garden co-chair and Cristwood Park resident, Mary Beth.
When your knees begin to creak and back starts to ache, it can be hard to continue gardening, and you may be tempted to give up. Following the advice of many health professionals, don’t stop! There are many devices that can help overcome obstacles to this healthy and beneficial hobby.
Among other tools and techniques, AARP suggests the following:
Whether on a small patch of dirt, in flowerpots, or a huge plot of land, gardening enriches life at every age. Embrace your green thumb and enjoy this beneficial activity, reaping its fruit for years to come.
To learn more about CRISTA Senior Living and see our gardens, visit https://cristaseniorliving.org/#schedule-tour.
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