Gardening is a brilliant activity for seniors suffering from dementia. This therapeutic act helps stimulate memory, calm senses, relieve pain from arthritis, and lift mood.

If you are looking to engage your loved one suffering from dementia in a meaningful activity, gardening can be an excellent choice–especially if you have a home garden or balcony space.

Here are some common benefits of gardening for a dementia patient:
• Decreased agitation and anxiety
• Increased mobility
• Sensory stimulation
• Improved quality of life
• Socialization
• Enhanced brain health

Gardening Tips for Caregivers

These tips will help you successfully engage your loved one in gardening and unlock the numerous benefits of growing plants.

Include Them in Planning
It is necessary that you make your loved one part of the process from the very beginning. Ask them what plants and flowers they would like to grow. Show pictures and present options if they do not communicate well and struggle with verbal skills.
This will help build their interest, and they will likely enjoy the process more!

Set Up a Safe Space
It is great if you have a home garden, but don’t be discouraged if you don’t have one. You can easily set up a designated space on your balcony. Indoor gardening is now more common and provides the same set of benefits for dementia patients.
You can get help from herb gardens, hydroponic kits, and terrariums.

Offer Reminders
Dementia patients suffer from short-term memory loss which makes it hard for them to remember stuff. You can become their alarm clock and remind them to take care of their plants.
You will likely have to remind your mom, dad, or grandparents to water their plants more often. Prepare a schedule for them if necessary and provide prompts whenever needed.

Incorporate Seating Space
Whether you are gardening outdoors or indoors, it is important to incorporate benches for the comfort of your loved one.
Seniors often struggle with mobility especially when they are suffering from a disease like dementia. So having a comfortable bench in the garden can help them sit and rest while working.

Add Visual Cues
Adding visual cues can help dementia patients work more independently in the garden space. Make sure you print the signs on high-contrast paper if your loved one struggles with vision issues.

What Plants Should You Grow With Dementia Patients?
You can start with nontoxic plants with vibrant colors. Herbs like lavender and rosemary can be excellent as they provide stress-relieving benefits and have a pleasant smell.

Growing vegetables like cucumber, tomatoes, and chilies and picking them later to use in food can also foster a sense of achievement in dementia patients.

Is your loved one living with dementia? We’re here to help! At Caring For You Home Care, we provide compassionate support for seniors facing various health challenges, ensuring they receive the care they deserve.

Give your loved one the best quality of life—contact us today to learn more!