March 20th marks the start of the Spring Equinox and the first day of Spring. With the start of the Spring season comes a renewed sense of hope and new beginnings, evident by the start of changing weather and blooming flowers.
One way your senior loved one can get into the Spring spirit is to try their hand at flower arranging. What better way to kick off the season than to brighten up their homes for a lighter mood?
In the spirit of Springtime, here are some benefits of flower arranging for the senior population:
- Fosters inclusivity/transcends age range. Flower arranging is an activity that transcends the constraints of aging and fosters inclusivity of all age ranges. Enjoy this pastime with friends, family, grandchildren, or even your Happier at Home caregiver. Regardless of age, skill levels, or different abilities, flower arranging is a great way to socialize with a range of individuals.
- Can be done anywhere. The beauty of flower arrangement is that, despite your level of mobility, you can still engage in this activity. Flower arranging can be done sitting down, standing up, from a wheelchair, or at the bedside. This takes the stress of motor limitations out of the equation and facilitates fun that everyone can enjoy.
- Improves motor function. Joint stiffness, swelling and chronic conditions like arthritis can make it difficult to preserve fine motor skills as an older adult. Manual dexterity tends to decrease, and fingers and hands become more rigid and less flexible. Cutting and arranging flowers gently engages your joints, and helps to preserve motor function. It can also help improve dexterity and muscle memory by engaging finer movements in the hand and promote a mind-body connection.
- Beneficial for seniors with dementia. Flower arranging is a great activity for seniors with dementia. It engages the senses, provides cognitive and sensory stimulation, improves motor skills, and instills a sense of independence and accomplishment. It is an excellent way to preserve quality of life for a population that may struggle with finding such.
- Boosts mood and fosters a sense of well-being. Engaging your senses and connecting with nature can supply a great deal of pleasure for older adults. A study conducted by Rutgers University showed that being around flowers helped to boost mood, combat depression, and lower levels of anxiety. Flower arranging has proved to be a relaxing and therapeutic activity.
Flower arranging is something that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age range. Our Happier at Home caregivers could help your loved one choose flowers for their bouquet and spend the afternoon helping to arrange them as a fun Spring activity.
