THERAPEUTIC GARDENING SERIES: Eldercare Gardens

Many of the previous articles in the Therapeutic Gardening Series have concentrated on the Restorative Gardens and their attention to the psychological and social needs of garden visitors (*see notes below). In this edition, we continue the Therapeutic Gardening series with a focus on the Enabling Gardens, highlighting Eldercare Gardens.

Enabling Gardens

Gardening in general facilitates both physical and mental well-being. It improves physical health, reduces stress levels, loneliness and depression. Gardening can also bestow a sense of accomplishment and purpose as well as a connection to nature. The focus of Enabling Gardens is to improve both the physical function and general well-being of people by making gardening accessible for their specific needs. The three main sub-types of Enabling Gardens include: Eldercare Gardens, Memory Care/Dementia Gardens and OT/PT/HT Gardens.

The purpose of Eldercare Gardens is to help elders keep gardening by reducing physical barriers and improving accessibility. Eldercare Gardens provide helpful solutions for the normal changes that accompany natural aging, including some decreased mobility, diminished agility, and reduced physical strength. They also address the importance of socialization.

Accessible gardening ideas to help keep gardeners in the garden:

• Raised Garden Beds

  Raised beds are great for those of us challenged by bending or kneeling. By using raised beds, table-beds, U-shape beds, or a wide variety of containers, plants and soils are raised to a level easily reached by walkers or wheelchairs. (For more information on specific raised bed dimensions, refer to the article ‘Accessibility in Our Own Gardens, Maine Grows, April 2025).

  
  

• Safe Pathways

  Accessible pathways need to be smooth with a firm surface and wide enough to accommodate mobility aids like walkers, wheelchairs and wagons. Depending on the mobility aids in use, hard or even paved surfaces may be required.

• Comfortable Seating Choices

Incorporate areas throughout the garden for resting and taking breaks with both sunny and shady options. Seats or benches and a small table invite a longer pause, perhaps with a cold drink to keep you hydrated. It also provides a place for a friend to join you to share a story or to enjoy watching a butterfly together.

• Lightweight tools

Using expandable hoses makes watering much easier and safer by lowering the effort of dragging heaving hoses, reducing the danger of falls and other injuries. In addition to lightweight hoses, using long-handled and ergonomic gardening tools and various garden seats also makes garden tasks more comfortable.

Usually, the goal is to get the gardener into the garden but sometimes when a gardener can’t get to her garden, we can bring a garden to her. Bringing the gardening experience to the gardener can help shift perspective, brighten mood and improve the sense of well-being.

Accessible gardening ideas that bring the garden to the gardener - When we consider accessibility, we usually think about physical mobility, but it is also important to consider hearing and vision.

• Container gardening

Using containers is a great way to enjoy gardening without having to go outside.  Containers can include various pots, hanging planters, window boxes, and vertical plantings. If a gardener is housebound, a terrarium could be a nice solution. Observing a bulb come to life using a glass vase is superior to watching a bouquet deteriorate. Growing microgreens on the windowsill or raising sprouts in a jar can be very gratifying.

• Bring nature close.

  Placing a bird feeder close to a window, near a comfortable seat encourages observation and invites nature closer in.

  
  

• Include Sound.

Including objects that allow us to hear the sounds of nature help us feel more connected whether it’s birds or a wind chime that signals a change in the breeze. What sounds do you like? Do you prefer the clacking of bamboo, the gentler sound of glass tinkling, the more varied sounds produced by the metal tubes or the deeper sounds of wind bells?

• Don’t forget the nose!

Smells are powerful. Smell is processed in the brain in a unique pathway connected to both memory and emotion. Always include plants that you find pleasing in your gardens, both inside and out. Do you like mint? Scented geranium?

• And remember to add COLOR!

Paint a pot your favorite color, add a piece of colorful art in your garden that you can see from your favorite place to sit. Check out the newest variegated foliage in coleus, hostas, begonias, caladium and a hundred more choices in every pattern and color imaginable. (For more information on Using Color in Your Garden, see Maine Grows, June 2025).

*Notes: Previously published Therapeutic Gardening Articles

Restorative Gardens - Maine Grows, March 2024

Gardens - Maine Grows, Nov 2023

Sensory Gardens - Maine Grows, Dec 2023

Hospice Gardens - Maine Grows, Jan 2024

Understanding Enabling Gardens - Maine Grows, June 2024

Garden Accessibility comes down to ensuring “access” to the gardening experience. The goal of Therapeutic Gardening is to create garden space specifically designed to improve mind, body, and spirit well-being for as many people as possible. The GCFM Therapeutic Gardening Committee’s focus is on specialty healing gardens. Please email me at Thera.gardening@gmail.com if you would like to learn more about Therapeutic Gardening.

Author: Geneie Everett, PhD, RN Chairs the GCFM, Therapeutic Gardening Program Committee, is a member of the Garden club of Wiscasset and Assistant Director for the Medomak District.