There is nothing like the feeling that summer brings. Warmer temperatures make it hard to resist the great outdoors and all the activities the longer days allow. One such activity, gardening, has multiple benefits, especially for our older loved ones.
Gardening is a moderate intensity workout—perfect for hitting your recommended thirty minutes of cardio per day, which improves cardiovascular health and reduces risk of heart attack and stroke. Bonus, if you enjoy gardening, it doesn’t feel like a workout! The motions of gardening also help mobility and flexibility, supporting strength and balance.
Fifteen to thirty minutes of sun exposure is also the ideal amount of time to increase Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is essential for bone health, boosts the immune system, and reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!
Gardening uses critical brain functions like sensory awareness and problem-solving, providing significant stimulation that can lead to mental clarity. Not only is gardening known to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, but studies have suggested it can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, gardening doesn’t have to be a solo project! It’s a great way to socialize with friends and family—and a great skill to pass down to the grandkids. Quality time with the ones you love is excellent food for the soul.
Before spending a lot of time outdoors, remember your sunscreen! The body’s natural ability to repair damaged DNA diminishes with age, there’s a higher likelihood of abnormal cell growth that leads to cancer. Use an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen and reapply every couple of hours. A large brimmed hat will protect your face, scalp, and neck from sun overexposure, and sunglasses will protect your eyes from the light.
Protecting yourself from chemicals and sharp equipment is equally as important. Did you know tetanus lives in the soil? Paired with sharp gardening tools, it’s a real threat to gardeners. Wear gloves, sturdy shoes, and appropriate clothing to keep yourself safe from dangers in the garden. Make sure your tetanus/diphtheria vaccination is up-to-date. All adults should be vaccinated every ten years. If you take a medication that causes side effects like fatigue or dizziness, don’t push it. Stay away from machinery, climbing ladders, or other activities that could cause injury.
Repeated kneeling and bending over low beds can cause significant strain and present a fall risk. Raised beds or vertical gardens allow you the opportunity to continue to do a hobby you love while keeping you safe from physical harm.
Take breaks, especially in hot weather. Keep healthy snacks on hand to recharge and drink lots of water. Dehydration is particularly damaging for older adults and can mimic the symptoms of dementia, cause urinary infections, and more.
Finally, don’t forget to clean up after yourself. Equipment and uncoiled hoses are a fall hazard for anyone who isn’t paying attention to their surroundings. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe by tucking everything away before you turn in for the day.
Overall, the benefits of gardening far outweigh the risks. Not only do you get the exercise and Vitamin D you need to remain healthy, but the outcome is a colorful, beautiful landscape for your home or fresh fruits and veggies for your meals! If you’re interested in learning how Aegis Living communities incorporate gardening into their life enrichment programs, call your nearest community to chat with a Life Enrichment Director.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.