Now that it’s officially summer, the optimal time for outdoor activities has come. Why sit inside all day when you can head out for an hour and soak up some sun? For senior caregivers looking for low-impact activities to partake in with their senior clients, the Gardening Companion app offers a way to get outside and connect with nature.
Gardening proves to be optimal for senior clients because it doesn’t require much physical labor. There may be some digging and pulling weeds, but a senior caregiver can work with their senior client to take care of the more strenuous tasks. It also offers a way for senior caregivers to bond with their clients, over planning which plants to include and actually planting them. Having a hobby also gives senior clients something to work towards and keeps their brains active while incorporating light physical activity.
When caregivers first open the app, they must create an account. The process takes a few seconds if you connect an existing social media account to the app. The homepage of the app features popular articles for users to scroll through. The topics range from spotlights on specific types of plants, such as Dogwood, or more general topics about gardening, such as Soil & Fertilizers.
The articles focusing on specific types of plants go into great detail by introducing the plant and then breaking down what’s necessary for its care. Caregivers can search by plant name in the upper right corner if they have a specific plant in mind. Users can also favorite plants and articles to save for later.
Reading through the profile and seeing the tips for growing that plant will help senior caregivers and their clients determine if it’s a good fit for their home garden. The tips even offer differentiation between growing the plant indoors versus outdoors, so senior caregivers can take that into consideration. The only function missing from the app is a suggestion tool for which plants grow well when planted in the same bed.
The Journal and Reminder areas offer tools to stay on track with tending the garden. In the journal, caregivers can record events such as flowers blooming or vegetable plants being ready to pick to keep historical data for future years. And in Reminders, caregivers can set a reminder to water their plants based on its needs.
Senior caregivers should remember to take into consideration the elements of working outside. Check the weather forecast before planning to spend an hour or two outside. Bring water bottles out for continued hydration, wear a hat with a brim to shade your face from the sun and wear sunblock or bug spray as needed.
The Garden Companion app is available for Apple platforms.
Senior caregivers, let us know your feedback on this app and keep us posted if you discovers additional apps that assist with caregiving duties and help relieve caregiver stress. You may also refer-a-friend to a senior caregiving job and win prizes weekly and monthly on Caregiverlist.
