Light gardening support

Light gardening support for older adults living independently who are unable to maintain this alone, from friendly Care Professionals who help with basic outdoor home tasks.

What are the benefits of gardening for older adults?

Gardening can be extremely beneficial for older adults, for both their physical and mental health. For example, gardening can:

Help maintain mobility through practicing strength and balance
Promote bone health to reduce the risk of falls
Promote overall health by improving weight loss, reducing cortisol levels, and improving flexibility
Keep joints flexible, which may support people with arthritis
Boost vitamin D levels through time outdoors
Create a sense of purpose, routine and quality of life
Create a sense of achievement as plants or vegetables grow
Reduce stress and lift mood – theBritish Psychological Societyfinds gardening can positively impact wellbeing and mental health

Minimise loneliness by spending more time around neighbours

What is home gardening support?

Caregivers are typically brought in to assist with care needs like personal care or mobility support, but if you need more help–such as housekeeping, running errands or gardening–your caregiver may provide this. Carers supplied by your local council might do this at their discretion, but with Home Instead, your care package can include everything you need. That might involve tasks like:

Planting and pruning flowers
Maintaining vegetable gardens
Refilling bird feeders
Removing weeds
Sweeping and removing clutter from pathways

Gardening support may also involve adaptations to make gardens safer, like installing raised plant beds or purchasing easy-grip tools, however carers will likely not help with larger landscaping tasks or heavy lifting.

Why could older adults benefit from gardening support?

Research suggests older adults spend more of their leisure time gardening than any other age group, but for those with mobility issues or conditions like arthritis, this becomes more challenging and dangerous. Having support for gardening activities means you can continue to tend your garden and be in nature without taking on risky tasks like mowing grass or bending to remove weeds.

While some caregivers will take on all garden work, our Care Professionals provide light support so older adults can continue to enjoy this hobby if desired without worrying about their safety or becoming fatigued. Light support helps you avoid risky movements like walking on uneven terrain, using sharp tools, spending too long in the sun, and more.

How can we help?

We've helped thousands of families to stay safe, comfortable and happy at home. Whatever situation you're facing, or whatever the question is, Home Instead is here to help.

Are you in need of a little guidance right away?

03300 583450

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Are you in need of a little guidance right away?

03300 583450

This is a company whose staff really do care on a personal level and who are client orientated, providing stimulative activities, conversation and going the extra mile to help client and family.
Eileen, Client
We have been relying on Home Instead for nearly five years now and they have been wonderfully helpful and flexible throughout. I don’t know what we’d do without them.
Carol, Client
Home Instead have an experienced caring team that far exceeds in quality anything we experienced from other agencies at this point of service.
Steve, Client

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How to get started arranging gardening support

If you need gardening support alongside other care needs, your local council may be able to provide this, and you will need to arrange this through a Care Needs Assessment to determine what could be most useful. Alternatively, you can reach out to a private care agency for more flexible support that includes gardening assistance if this is a priority for you, without the potential restrictions and busy schedules of traditional care arrangements.

If you need gardening support on its own without additional care, keep in mind that many older people in the UK are eligible for Attendance Allowance, which provides financial help for home maintenance like cleaning and gardening. You can use this to hire a gardener for more strenuous tasks.

Take the first step

Why Home Instead?

At Home Instead, we aim to provide entirely personalised support to every older individual in our care, so if gardening is important to you, our Care Professionals will go the extra mile to ensure it remains a part of your routine, and that you can continue to enjoy this activity with helping hand to make it safer and more comfortable.

We are proudly rated 9.6 on Homecare.co.uk, and many of our locations are rated “outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), so you and your plants will be in good hands with our dedicated, trusted support. Whether you need a few hours of daily personal care, or specialist live-in care to manage a more challenging health condition, we can provide light gardening support alongside your other needs.

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Advice & Support

What is light gardening support?

Light gardening support is a home help service where a Care Professional assists with simple outdoor tasks to keep gardens safe, tidy, and enjoyable. It includes gentle maintenance activities like weeding, watering, sweeping paths, or tending to pots and plants.

Who can benefit from light gardening home help?

This service is ideal for older adults who enjoy their garden but find some physical tasks more difficult. It helps them stay active and connected to nature while ensuring their outdoor space remains safe and well cared for.

What gardening tasks can a Care Professional help with?

Care Professionals can assist with light jobs such as watering plants, raking leaves, weeding, trimming small bushes, and keeping outdoor areas neat. For heavier work like tree pruning or landscaping, we can help arrange trusted external services if needed.

How often can home help gardening support be provided?

Visits can be arranged as often as you like – from occasional help during the changing seasons to regular weekly visits. We tailor the schedule to suit your loved one’s needs and preferences.

How does gardening support fit into a home care plan?

Light gardening can be included as part of a wider home care or home help service. It’s a great way to promote physical activity, boost wellbeing, and maintain a sense of pride and independence for older adults who love their garden.

Diane WIlliams , Head of Quality & Standards

I have worked with Home Instead since July 2016 as a member of the Quality Team, taking the role of Head of Quality & Standards in 2020.

Before joining Home Instead, I built a comprehensive career in the social care sector, beginning in 1991 as a frontline care worker and advancing to senior leadership roles across both private and voluntary sector businesses.

Throughout my career, I have supported diverse care groups in a variety of settings, including community, residential, nursing, and secure environments. My experience spans working with older adults, including those living with dementia; individuals with physical disabilities and complex, long-term health needs; people with learning disabilities, including autism; individuals with enduring mental health challenges; individuals with current or past substance use and those with forensic backgrounds.

In 2002, I qualified as a social worker and have since maintained my professional registration with Social Work England.

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