| BUPA’s tips on
adapting your garden
1. Elevated and raised beds
·
Elevated
beds have shallow planting areas that are raised off the ground on legs. If
you are gardening from a wheelchair or prefer to sit while weeding, these could be the
best way to plant.
·
Raised
beds or containers also minimise bending and stooping.
·
Use
small light containers, such as plastic troughs or pots so they can easily be moved around
the garden.
·
Truck
tyres, wheelbarrows, wine casks, even bathtubs can be used as raised planting beds.
·
Put
raised beds or planters on the balcony if you don’t have a garden.
·
These
beds are best suited to annual flowers, fruits and vegetables, because permanent plantings
are more vulnerable to frost.
2
Access to your garden
· If you want a
grass area, remember that lawns can have uneven surfaces. Paving stones that
incorporate holes for the grass to be seeded through will provide a more stable and level
surface.
·
Install
handrails or handgrips where possible or make sure permanent surfaces are non-slip, made
of a porous material and allow water drainage.
·
Walkways
that have been designed for wheelchair access should be at least 3 feet wide and ramps
should be edged to prevent the chair rolling off the side and should have a slope of no
more than 8%.
· Make sure any
steps are clearly highlighted with white or yellow paint to help prevent falls.
3
Choosing plants
·
Make
your life easy – perennial plants that re-grow each year are easier to manage than
annuals that need replanting.
·
Consider
the plant’s height, growth rate and the amount of attention it will need, including
watering and spraying.
·
If
you have limited reach, choose plants or vegetables that do not grow higher than 2 feet.
4.
Tools
·
When
gardening use foam pads to reduce strain on the knees.
·
There
are lots of adapted tools available at garden centres, including short and long reach
trowels, forks, spades and weeders.
·
Extension
handles on pruning shears can help you to avoid twisting and straining.
 For
information about the health benefits of gardening, advice on getting fit for gardening
and further tips on gardening safely, log on to BUPA’s website www.bupa.co.uk
For
information and expert advice on easier and accessible gardening for older people and
those with restricted mobility visit Thrive’s website www.carryongardening.org.uk
BUPA
has teamed up with the national horticultural charity Thrive to create 60 sensory gardens
across the UK for residents, relatives and the local community to enjoy. To
find your nearest BUPA sensory garden visit www.bupa.co.uk/community
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view previous articles - see the laterlife-interest
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