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Gardening Tips As We Grow Older

www.caringseniorservice.com
e all know that gardening is great! Being outdoors on Bring Your Gardening Higher Raised beds that allow access
a sunny day—enjoying the feel and the smells of the without kneeling or stooping protect aching knees and backs.
Wnatural world around us—brings physical, mental and Raised planters should be two to three feet tall, with wide top
spiritual benefits for gardeners of all ages. But just like any other boards to make sitting and working easier. Long narrow beds are
activity, it makes good sense to adjust our actions to stay safe and best, so every inch can be reached. Adding a trellis or two keeps
healthy. So how do senior gardeners make the most of their outdoor plants growing upward, within easy range for picking fruits and
time? Here are a few tips. flowers.
Pace yourself As we age, we can no longer do as much as when Involve Others Do you have a neighbor who's interested in
we were in our twenties. And that's fine. So pace yourself; work gardening? Swap your gardening knowledge for help with heavy
for a while and relax for a while. Being tired can lead to accidents, digging or lifting. And what about that family member who
regardless of your age. Keep safe by taking several rest periods, struggles to find you the perfect gift? Ask for a homemade gift
drink cool liquids and rest in the shade. certificate - for pruning the roses or loosening the garden soil in
Dress the Part To avoid overheating and sunburn, wear lightweight the spring.
clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, a big hat and gardening gloves. Choose the Right Plants Choose plants that aren't too difficult.
Gardening early in the morning or late in the day also protects you You might also want to consider the uses and benefits of certain
from the hottest times of the day. And keep your cell phone on you plants. For example, there are herbs that can help fight the terrible
or nearby. You may never need it but it's a good precaution. disease like ginkgo or ginseng.
Use the Right Tools How many times have you lost your hand Use Sun Protection Gardeners can expect to spend a lot of time
trowel? Painting your tools in bright colors will make them easier outside in direct sunlight. To avoid sunburns on delicate skin, wear
to locate. Strong, lightweight tools with long rubber handles reduce a wide-brimmed hat and use sunscreen. Bring a water bottle with
effort and stress on joints. And when planting, use seed tapes - the you to stay hydrated and avoid gardening between 10 a.m. and 2
tiny seeds are embedded in a thin degradable tape. To plant, just p.m. during the summer to avoid the hottest part of the day.•
unroll and lay out the tape, cover with soil and you're done.

A Heart For Travel

by Zoe Frost
had the pleasure of sitting down and getting to know
Becca Metoyer, the owner, operator, and founder of to keep their minds alert. They can
I Second Family Home Care. After 33 years of working thrive with someone to participate
in the insurance industry, Becca left her position as VP and in their favorite activities such as
took a few years off. Being an entrepreneur and someone who gardening, baking or woodworking,
loves staying busy, she turned her attention to an endeavor all or someone to go to the grocery store or attend a concert. In-
her own. home care is wherever a senior calls home; therefore, they
She was a caregiver for her mother for five years, and during can assist seniors who reside in an Independent Living Home,
her time off also could be found volunteering with Meals Assisted Living Home, or wherever care is needed.
on Wheels or at various senior living communities. These Through Becca’s years in operation, one of the services she
experiences lead her to seek out a new passion, helping to has provided is having staff members travel with clients to
care for seniors. She did extensive research on what direction various family events. These trips have been anything from
she wanted to go. She chose in-home care that allows seniors an excursion within Texas, to a journey via air to Boston,
the ability to stay independent in their homes. Becca opened MA. This service Second Family offers got Becca’s wheels
the doors of Second Family Home Care in 2014. churning once again, and she thought, “why not have the
Second Family Home Care is what is considered non-medical opportunity available for others to travel for fun?” She
in-home care. Non-medical home care focuses on helping looked at her own love of travel and wondered how many
seniors with the daily activities they need to engage in to people would relish the opportunity to join family or friends
remain safe and healthy. Many seniors need help to get their on vacation but needed an extra helping hand. This thought
day started with assistance showering, preparing breakfast, process is what brought Becca to create a specialized travel
and medication reminders. Likewise, help before bedtime, program for any seniors in the Greater Dallas area.
or even overnight, can be an important safety net for seniors When I asked Becca what she is most proud of, she stated how
at home who often are more apprehensive at nighttime. hands-on she is with her staff and clients. She prides herself
However, one of the most essential needs of a senior who lives on knowing every one of them. This knowledge allows her to
alone is companionship. The companionship component of a match the two together for the best care and companionship
professional caregiver’s job can be just as vital as physical possible, be it at home or while traveling the world. •
assistance. People need conversation and one-on-one contact

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