I have an elderly aunt who still enjoys gardening. She suffers from arthritis, though, so lately it hasn’t been the relaxing pastime it once was. She talked with her doctor about whether or not she should continue on with her gardening if it was causing her pain. The doctor’s response was a resounding “yes” – with limitations!
First off, take frequent breaks. There’s no need to push yourself and complete all your chores in one day. This includes whether you’re planting, pruning or just watering.
Next, consider appropriate tools for the work you’re trying to accomplish. For example, the doc pointed out that today there are all sorts of ergonomically correct tools you can purchase. Larger handles make for easier squeezing and the need for less grip strength. Don’t hesitate to find yourself a small cart to carry your plants or watering cans in. Also, kneeling pads are a must for most of us, especially those suffering from arthritis. Lastly, tools with longer handles can save on back stress.
A third consideration, that I would like to add, is to plant more perennials over annuals so that each year you will have less start up work. There are tons of perennial choices to choose from! A few that are easy to plant and need less maintenance are the California Poppy Orange and the Gloriosa Daisy.
“Working” in the garden should be a time to de-stress and enjoy yourself, so if you’re suffering from arthritis or any form of joint pain, I hope these options give you some ideas for how to make it more enjoyable.
