When we designed The Avenues Crofton Park community in Broomfield, we focused on enhancing our residents’ lives by catering to healthy, active programs and amenities. One of the more popular features of the community is a community garden, situated conveniently between our apartment building and the 20 stand-alone cottages.
As we know — as does the resident committee that plans out and tends to the garden each spring — gardening offers a multitude of benefits for older adults, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. For our community, it also helps shift gears from the colder days of winter to the lovely Colorado sunny days we live for.
For physical benefits, residents say digging, planting, weeding, and watering provide low-impact exercise, improving strength, flexibility, and endurance. It helps in maintaining mobility and reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. Tasks that involve gripping tools and handling small plants enhance fine motor skills and coordination, which is particularly beneficial for those with arthritis. And spending time outdoors in sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, which is crucial for bone health and immune function.
Beyond the physical benefits, there is the mental aspect of gardening. As our community’s green thumbs say, gardening has a calming effect, reducing stress and anxiety. Experts say the act of nurturing plants and being in nature can lower cortisol levels and promote relaxation. Gardening also stimulates the brain and can improve cognitive function through the annual planning, problem-solving, and learning that comes with managing various vegetables, soil conditions, and more.
And believe it or not, there are emotional and social benefits to gardening. Watching plants grow and thrive gives a sense of accomplishment, boosts self-esteem, and creates a sense of productivity. The social impact within the gardening group fosters a sense of community here at The Avenues and the annual harvest in the fall is always a fun, collective event.
As the community garden takes flight this summer, our gardening group will reap the nutritional benefits quickly, with some early-season greens available for salads. Nothing beats greens and vegetables from the community garden, and planning out meals using the harvest of the day can also be a lot of fun for residents.
Looking for a community that listens closely to residents’ needs and interests? Check out The Avenues Crofton Park in Broomfield for a community that helps residents 55 and older turn interests into healthy habits like our community garden. Give us a call at 720-799-0915 so we can show off our garden and more!