May Day is a time to celebrate the onset of May; the month that sees the Earth reaching its' productive capacity by providing us with an abundance of fresh foliage and flowers.
Once again I am going to extol the therapeutic value of gardening and provide some pointers on how to help older relatives and neighbours enjoy a day in the garden. Make gardening an intergenerational activity.
Seniors can plan and select items for the garden and participate physically according to their capability. Adults can help select, purchase and transport the plants and other supplies. Teenagers can do clean up and soil preparation tasks. Younger children can plant seeds and make garden markers.
Make sure all participants have the right tools for the job and for their size and ability. Consider adaptive, ergonomic tools for senior citizens and smaller, kid-sized tools for younger children. Supervise teenagers working with sharp tools.
Don't forget the effects of the sun. The fun of planning and working in a garden can be an all-day outdoor event. Wear a protective hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Make sure everyone stays hydrated with cool, refreshing water.
Consider the frequency and amount of work required to maintain the garden.
Choose flower and vegetable varieties and their planting location carefully for easy pruning, weeding and watering.
Minimize the need to weed and water. Choose low maintenance, heat tolerant perennial plants. Lay protective plastic and mulch to prevent weeds.
Use raised beds or potted containers, so that seniors can take care of the plants when others are not available to help. This is a good way to reduce or eliminate the need to bend or kneel while gardening. If you must kneel, try using a garden kneeler or bench seat. It provides support when rising from a kneeling position and a sturdy seat when turned upside down.
Take your time walking across the lawn. If you use a cane, be sure to take it with you into the garden. It will help you be steady on uneven ground. You can also fit your cane with a flat, triangle-shaped cane base. It's designed to be used on grass and unlike a regular cane tip, it won't sink into the ground.
If the senior cannot care for his or her own garden, establish a schedule for friends, family members or neighbours to maintain it. Make the maintenance visit a social call as well, brightening everyone's day.
Gardening with seniors can be a fun intergenerational activity during which the younger people learn some tried-and-true gardening techniques. Who knows? They may pass on generations of experience to their own grandchildren some day. Thanks to www.wellhaven.comfor some of this great information.
And, because I truly believe that laughter is still the ultimate in therapeutic value -- On the first day of a marriage retreat, the instructor talked about the importance of knowing what matters to each other. "For example," he began, pointing to the husband, David, "do you know your wife's favorite flower?" David answered, "Pillsbury All Purpose."
A Community Care for South Hastings announcement:The 2009 -2010 membership is available for an annual cost of $5 per person, and can be obtained by contacting Denyce at 613-969- 0130 or Trina at 613-396-6591, dropping by our office, or mailing a cheque to the address below. Anyone that enjoys the services we provide is strongly encouraged to show their support by purchasing an annual membership.
Community Care for South Hastings annual general meeting will be held at the Lion's Hall in Deseronto June 4, at 2 p. m. Members and guests will be receiving a formal invitation in the near future.
www.ccsh.ca
