How To Create a Safe and Low-Maintenance Garden for Elderly People

A bit of fresh air and sunlight can do wonders for our mood. If you want to go on enjoying your garden into late adulthood, you absolutely can. All you need to do is make a few adjustments to keep it low-effort and easy to manage. 

For example, artificial grass is becoming very popular with elderly people, as it’s the perfect balance between a realistic lawn appearance and minimal upkeep. 

Along with reducing maintenance needs, you also need to ensure the safety of the garden space is suitable for people of advanced age. This means identifying and eliminating trip hazards in the garden space. 

Whether you’re making changes for your own wellbeing or are taking care of a relative, there are so many things you can do to guarantee a safe and luscious lawn without the demanding maintenance. 

Let’s take a look at some tips to get you started. 

How to create a safe garden for seniors

First, we will address some garden safety tips to reduce hazards. 

• Ensure that all pathways are kept free of tools and put equipment away when it’s not needed. 
• Avoid uneven surfaces like cobbles which can increase the chance of falls. Instead choose smooth surfaces like slabs or tarmac. 
• If you or an elderly relative likes to go out into the garden on a warm evening, be sure to introduce lighting for better vision at all hours. 
• Select sturdy furniture that won’t move when somebody climbs in and out. This rules out lightweight plastic furniture. 
• Ensure that any cracks or damage is repaired on hard surfaces, or that any unseen sinkholes or indentations are filled in on a lawn. 

All of the above will keep garden safety hazards to a minimum to protect either your own safety or that of a relative you’re caring for.

How to create a low-maintenance garden for seniors

Do you love being outdoors but are struggling to keep up with lawn maintenance? Luckily it’s easy to enjoy the fresh air from the comfort of home without the physical effort that may pose a challenge these days. 

• Purchasing artificial grass is the single most helpful thing you can do to create a low-maintenance lawn. The trick is to choose a provider known for their ultra-realistic products. Here at Easigrass Essex, our grass has won awards for its realistic appearance combined with its minimal maintenance requirements. We can also provide turf with soft pile height and shock underlay cushioning for optimum safety. With no mess, no mud and no mowing required, artificial grass is the perfect option for elderly people. We also provide an annual maintenance service to take care of what little upkeep there is. 
• Opt for raised beds and containers to eliminate the need for kneeling or crouching down. Try and position things like taps or flower beds closer to the house to reduce walking time. You can even install an irrigation system to take care of the watering for you. 
• When selecting plants, choose species that are easy to grow and that require less pruning, watering and pest control. Perennials, shrubs and drought-tolerant plants are all excellent options that require less time and upkeep to thrive. 

As you can see, it’s easy to enjoy green spaces even as we age. All you need is a little know-how and a bit of flexibility. We hope you enjoyed our article exploring safety tips and low-maintenance ideas to support elderly people, and we are only a phone call away for all your artificial grass needs. 

Looking for a low-maintenance and ultra-realistic artificial lawn? Here at Easigrass Essex, our award-winning artificial grass looks and feels like the real thing, and stays looking green and healthy all year round with minimal maintenance. To find out more or to arrange an installation, get in touch today.