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Is it possible that something as simple as flowers can bring happiness to your favorite senior's life? Dropping by with a fistfull of daisies or a potted plant for their coffee table will bring more joy into their day than you can imagine.
The way we live our lives in modern times has grown busier and more complicated as the generation's pass by. It seems to me, there are far too many family elders that live alone, waiting for a visit or phone call to brighten their days. A few decades back, an elder member of the family was revered for the love and wisdom they brought to the family unit. Wouldn't it be nice if we all took a few minutes out of the day, even one day a week, to visit an elderly member of our family or even one in our community?
Moving a bit slower gives more time to enjoy the flowers.
Photo courtesy of ariadna at MorgueFile
I was thinking about my grandmother recently. She has now been on this earth for 94 years, and is no longer able to get out on her own. At one time, she was a very active woman. She raised nine children through some very hard years. She also worked a job in her later years and retired from that job. In her yard, she grew some beautiful flowers and was very proud of them. I know they brought a smile to her face every evening when she came home from work and walked up the sidewalk to the porch steps. She would also sit on her porch and admire the blooms as often as she could. I can only imagine how she must feel now that she can no longer get out and admire the flowers.
A private spot to relax quietly with a friend.
Photo courtesy of bobby at MorgueFile
The elderly in the United States are faced with many problems, from health care to worrying about the cost of groceries. Being alone, in some cases, is one of the hardest things they have to face. Losing the ability to drive leads to a feeling of isolation. A high percentage of seniors suffer from deep depression caused in part by, extreme loneliness.
It only takes a walk through the neighborhood to see that the happiest people, young and old alike, can be found in the gardens that line the streets. It is not a big leap from there, to see how flowers can affect a persons mood and all around well-being. There are a few interesting studies that look at the relationship between flowers and healthier, happier individuals.
The smallest gesture can have the biggest impact.
Photo courtesy of bjwebbiz at MorgueFile
Seeing a favorite flower will always bring a smile out.
Photo courtesy of bjwebbiz at MorgueFile
One study in particular was conducted by Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University of New Jersey. This academic paper was published in the April 2005 issue of Evolutionary Psychology entitled; "An Environmental Approach to Positive Emotion: Flowers." [1]
This research showed that flowers given to seniors made them happier, as simple as that. There was a substantial decrease in depression, more social contact initiated by the senior, even memory function was shown to be affected. Flowers bring joy and happiness to those living, hidden, among us. Those who may very well need it most.
A bouquet for every season.
Photo courtesy of clarita at MorgueFile
Perfect bundle.
Photo courtesy of jesus-is-lord at MorgueFile
How easy it would be to brighten a senior's day by simply taking a bouquet of cut flowers from your garden to them. Better yet, create a garden in their yard so that they may enjoy it from a chair by the window. If they are still able to get out into the yard, have the senior get involved with the gardening, from choosing the colors they like best to deadheading the faded blooms.
Set an area aside in the garden so that they may sit among the flowers. Make it comfortable, with protection from the sun and level pathways so they will not trip as they walk into the garden. If they use a wheelchair to get around, make pathways wide enough to accommodate the chair.
A shady spot to relax.
Photo courtesy of gracey at MorgueFile
A sunny spot to warm your bones.
Photo courtesy of click at MorgueFile
The reward, if you need one, is in knowing that you have made a deserving senior happy. Maybe, just maybe, someone will do the same for us when we reach that stage in life.
Thumbnail photo courtesy of bjwebbiz at MorgueFile
About Jacqueline Cross
I'm a native Floridian...feet planted in the shifting sands of northwest FL. but my heart strings are tightly knotted to the hills of Tennessee.
I live my poodle, Minnie Pearl, Zsa Zsa the cat who runs the whole show and a new addition, Kitty Belle.
I'm a writer, gardener, quilter, cross stitcher, soapmaker and nature lover. Mother to 3 wonderful daughters & Nana to 6 perfect grandchildren.
I also write for Suite101 and was promoted to Feature Writer in the vegetable gardens section in 2008.
Posted by patpenney (from Crossville, TN) on July 21, 2008 at 8:55 AM:
Jackie,
Whew that touches the heartstrings. I's sure it will having all who read it making a list of the elders they can touch.
Thanks and keep them coming.
Pat
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Posted by libellule (from Fountain, FL) on July 21, 2008 at 12:50 PM:
Thank you, Pat.
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Subject: Why Limit...
Posted by darius (from Marion, VA) on July 18, 2008 at 5:43 PM:
Why limit this idea just to seniors? How about the shut-ins? Or simply someone who lives alone, has no family, and feels invisible? It's a great idea, wherever we take it!
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Posted by libellule (from Fountain, FL) on July 18, 2008 at 7:32 PM:
I agree Darius....I only noted seniors because of the study I cited in the article. I read tons of stuff on the emotional health of seniors and was just lost in it for days..
I think everyone benefits by a visit from a caring neighbor, no matter their age.
Jackie
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Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on July 18, 2008 at 10:11 PM:
Good idea, Darius! I plan to bring a bouquet to a friend who is a single mom of a two-year-old, who works and goes to school. She could sure use a lift!
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Subject: Food for thought
Posted by marsue (from Cabot, AR) on July 18, 2008 at 9:02 AM:
Very well done article. It should give "younger people" food for thought. My own MIL is 82 and we also have an elderly friend who is 88. Fortunately, they both are still living in their own homes and although neither one of them is house-bound, they both have had to curtail their activities considerably. I'm in my mid-sixties but I don't consider myself to be a "senior". I am in good health and I'm still able to get out and work in my flower beds, which I do every day. Thanks for the reminder, though, that life and circumstances change for all of us over time. We all should be more considerate of those who find themselves in the circumstances you described in your article.
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on July 18, 2008 at 11:44 AM:
Excellent article! Flowers do just make people smile, and you're right -- little things can mean a lot.
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Posted by libellule (from Fountain, FL) on July 18, 2008 at 12:46 PM:
Thanks Y'all...glad you enjoyed it.
It's strange how many people are overlooked, simply because they can no longer get out into the 'business' of it all.
Jackie
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Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on July 18, 2008 at 2:30 PM:
Lovely article. Makes me want to call a nursing home to see if there are any residents who don't get visitors. Some of them outlive all their family members.
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Posted by libellule (from Fountain, FL) on July 18, 2008 at 2:35 PM:
I'm glad you liked it.
I've worked in nursing homes and have seen first hand how many residents have no family/friends visiting them. It is really sad to reach that stage of your life and be so alone.
What a nice idea for you to go visit some of them.
Jackie
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Subject: touching
Posted by sallyg (from Anne Arundel Co., MD) on July 18, 2008 at 8:07 AM:
Well done. I was touched.
I feel that my mom's yard- although it hard to keep up with all the maintenance, is an excellent physical therapy for her. She has plenty of useful tasks that she loves to get into whenever the weather is OK. Keeps her moving and gives her something to think about. I even think that walking on the lawn helps maintain her balance by giving her some variation.
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Posted by pirl (from Southold, NY) on July 18, 2008 at 8:56 AM:
I'm headed out right now to cut a vase full of flowers for a neighbor, thanks to you.
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Posted by Jan23 (from Salem Cnty, NJ) on July 18, 2008 at 12:05 PM:
You hit the nail on the head. Mom loves flowers, so this year we concentrated on putting containers on the deck since she can't move around as well as before. I bring in cut flowers as often as I can to her room. Even in the winter ( the local grocery store usually has some very nice cheap bunches that she can arrange herself)
Before she moved in ten years ago we didn't have any gardens, now I have a hard time keeping up with them. But they do brighten her days.
Well written.
Jan
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Posted by libellule (from Fountain, FL) on July 18, 2008 at 12:52 PM:
Sallyg...thank you. I agree that having something to keep us busy as we age is a good thing. Your mom is lucky to have you.
Pirl...That makes me smile. I know your neighbor will too :-)
Jan23...Thank you. Sounds like your mother moving in has added a lot to your whole family. It's wonderful that you've created a place that helps her smile. She is a lucky mother.
Jackie
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Posted by wind (from Mount Laurel, NJ) on July 18, 2008 at 10:17 PM:
I try and visit a friends mom who lives in a nursing home, when I can. The seniors there do enjoy sitting outside (on the not so hot days) in a small garden area under a canopy for shade. I enjoyed your article, reminded me I'm long overdue to visit her.
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Posted by libellule (from Fountain, FL) on July 19, 2008 at 12:53 AM:
Thanks, Wind. I enjoyed researching and writing it.
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Posted by David_Paul (from Clinton, CT) on July 21, 2008 at 12:56 AM:
Wonderful article.
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Posted by libellule (from Fountain, FL) on July 21, 2008 at 1:02 AM:
Thank you, David_Paul.
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Posted by Laurie_P (from Holland, MI) on July 28, 2008 at 10:46 AM:
Excellent article! I am a caregiver in a retirement community and I know how much even a single flower will brighten a seniors day. I carry bobbypins with me for when an opportunity knocks (we have gardens galore), I can add a flower to their hair or a boutineer to a lapel -- their smiles are priceless! Someday, we'll all be "of age" and hopefully realize how special it is to be loved just by saying it with flowers!
God bless,
Laurie
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Posted by libellule (from Fountain, FL) on July 28, 2008 at 11:25 AM:
Thanks Laurie and bless you for what you do everyday. I know it's appreciated.
Jackie
