Gardening and the Elderly

Dayna, North End Resident and Reader

“I look forward to the always-prompt delivery of the next edition to my mailbox, and to receiving the email alerting me to its availability! I so appreciate that there remains a local community paper at a time when so many others have ceased publication. It’s been a great introduction to the North End!”

Kristina Santone

“Being a part of the North End Breezes board for the past two years has been a privilege. The team does amazing work within the community and serves as a resource hub for all. They are committed, and most importantly, passionate about preserving the North End’s legacy, while also continuing to foster its growth. Whether you are new to the area, or a longtime resident, I encourage you to volunteer with the Breezes in some capacity if you’re able. This team is small but mighty and they are always looking for more support. I’m grateful for the relationships and community I’ve been able to build while serving on the board.

I’ll be joining Welcome Inn as the Executive Director and look forward to taking on a new role in the North End Community while staying connected to The Breezes. “

By Michelle Ferara

There are many positive benefits for the elderly in the wonderful world of gardening. Nature has a therapeutic component: lowers stress, improves sleep, calms agitation, reduces pain, improves focus, creates a sense of purpose and accomplishment-leads to increased self-esteem. Sensory stimulation includes beauty, fragrance, peace, music and butterflies, birds and bees; and this can be accomplished with both indoor and outdoor gardening. Many retirement and nursing homes now feature some type of nature-many have indoor skylights with a plant and water feature, often accompanied with birds or music as well as outdoor enclosed garden areas with wide pathways and seating.

The ‘accessibility gardening movement’ is thriving at nurseries and garden centers and includes ergonomic tools with brightly coloured handles, raised garden beds, garden carts with built in seating, and plants specifically for ease of gardening and bright colours…everything to accommodate limited energy and mobility as well as vision and hearing.

The Hamilton Community Gardening Network (HCGN) is a city-wide program that helps build and sustain community gardens, since 2007. Currently they have 95 gardens in the database including gardens for beautification, communal, donation, tenant, school, and numerous ‘victory gardens’. The HCGN provides workshops and events as well as community resources-so that in addition to gardening, it is also a social outlet and community connection-yet another reason for the elderly to participate.