I was recently asked to lead a senior’s workshop on gardening with arthritis. I thought that I had some knowledge of this topic as I have been afflicted with arthritis in my hands since my early 40s.
Even with hands that chatter at me every day and let me know they are not too happy with me, I can be found most days up to my elbows in dirt digging, pulling, pruning and weeding.
We all know how valuable gardening is for our bodies and our minds. Gardening also helps maintain flexibility and mobility. Studies continue to show that gardening makes you feel renewed inside!
I don’t even think about what it might be like to be desperately wanting to get into a garden while dealing with a painful disability. I would think that having to deal with ramifications of attempting to spend time in a garden might put some people off doing anything.
But with a little thought, planning and a few dollars, we can all enjoy our garden and the work it takes to get it how we want it.
Before taking on any task, think about what you will be doing, what positions will be needed to accomplish the tasks and tools required that can assist you. Get all that you need ready before starting the tasks at hand. With the wide range of ergonomic garden tools and equipment available, all levels of able bodied folks can get into their gardens comfortably with less joint strain and physical stress.
It may be something as simple as having a chair available to rest occasionally or a kneeling pad to save your knees.
Find the best way to transport your chosen tools around the garden, from gardening bags, trays and trugs to wheelbarrow and carts that can be attached to wheelchairs.
I am sure that many of you have heard the saying that a “worker is only as good as his/her tools.” Well that applies for able bodied, disabled and in between gardeners too.
You can avoid overreaching or bending down by choosing tools that have longer handles. Tools are available for all types of disabilities offering different angled handle grips so folks with arthritic hands can still garden. You can make conventional tools easier to handle by sliding some plumbing insulation tubing over the grip area, making it softer to handle. Even watering your plants can be difficult with the squeeze type hose attachments. The plumbing insulation tubing expands the area and makes it softer to grip.
There are now a whole range of gardening chairs available. Those that help relax the legs, ease stresses on your knees and ones with wheels to make it easier to move about the garden. Some are designed to be folded up and carried around with you. (I use a little blue kiddie stool from Ikea when I garden). Many of the gardening chairs also have storage areas for tools.
Raised beds offer gardeners with physical restrictions to enjoy their favourite pastime without having to bend, kneel or stand for longer period of time. Some of the raised beds come with seats attached and places to store garden tools. Many of our local hardware stores carry the raised vegetable trugs that can even fit on a patio or balcony.
Many tools are now available to limit bending such as long handled Dutch hoes, weeding tools and planting tools that can be done by just standing up.
There are some amazing ideas online that can assist those with limited abilities to help folks with green thumbs continue on with their passion.
As a friend of mine with rheumatoid arthritis throughout his body says to me while we garden at our local park “bring a chair to the garden, take lots of rest breaks, drink plenty of water and enjoy your life.” I love his attitude!
Lynda Pasacreta is the current president of the Richmond Garden Club. Join her on Thursday June 6th, 1:00 - 3:00pm, West Richmond Community Centre, 9180 No. 1 Road, Richmond. As part of the City of Richmond Seniors Week programs, she will be the guest speaker of a free workshop “Gardening with Arthritis”. To register: phone 604-238-8400
