Gardening has many benefits for both the mind and body. Working with plants and spending time in green spaces has been shown to help people stay active and do something meaningful. This can:
- Engage the brain
- Spark creativity
- Improve self-esteem
- Contribute to better strength, balance, and stamina
Gardening can also be a social activity, and social connections are often linked to greater happiness in older age.
That’s why it’s important to support older people to continue gardening, even as their abilities change. Low-risk assistive technology (AT) can help.
These simple, off-the-shelf items are a key part of the wellness and reablement approach. They enable older people to maintain or regain their skills for daily living.
On this page, you’ll learn about low-risk AT and other reablement strategies for gardening, such as:
- Building capacity
- Modifying the task
- Adapting the environment
- Providing information
Don’t worry if you’re not sure what 'low-risk AT' means or if you haven’t heard of these other strategies. This page will explain these concepts, too, supporting you to promote safe, enjoyable gardening for your clients.
What is low-risk assistive technology (AT)?
Low-risk AT is a reablement strategy. It refers to aids, equipment, or devices that can usually be bought in retail stores. These items are also:
- Unlikely to cause harm when used in everyday life
- Easy to set up and use with minimal professional advice
Low-risk AT can help older people:
- Adapt to changes in their abilities
- Gradually develop or maintain their skills for daily living
- Continue participating in meaningful activities without relying on others
These benefits support independence, confidence, and overall wellbeing, which is the core focus of wellness and reablement.
If you're new to wellness and reablement, our introductory guide is a great place to start and build your knowledge. If you've already covered the basics and are looking for practical tips to apply reablement, our reablement strategies page can help.
Low-risk gardening clothes
Gardening gloves
Gardening gloves protect the skin and nails from dirt, insect bites, and sharp plants. They also help prevent potential sun damage while making it easier to grip tools.
Knee pads
These lightweight knee pads cushion the knees when working on the ground. They attach behind the knee with Velcro to help reduce pressure on the knee joint.
Apron
Gardening aprons allow people to carry their most-used tools with them. This reduces the need to go back and forth to the shed, potentially preventing fatigue.
Low-risk planters
Vertical garden planter
Using a vertical garden can save space and reduce the number of plant pots on the ground. They can be organised and maintained at a convenient height. This makes it easier to control pests and weeds without bending.
Raised garden bed
These raised garden beds can be used for flowers, herbs, or small vegetable plants. They reduce the physical effort needed for bending and tend to have fewer weeds. Those on wheels are also easy to move around.
Retractable hanging baskets
Hanging baskets reduce the need to bend while tending to plants. Retractable baskets also reduce the need to reach. Users can adjust the pulley to bring the basket and plant down to the required level.
Plant pot trolley
This trolley is ideal for people who don't have the strength or balance to carry or manoeuvre plant pots. It enables users to move or adjust plants as needed without heavy lifting.
Low-risk watering tools
Hose reel cart
These carts remove the need to carry the garden hose over long distances. They also reduce the hand strength needed to wind the hose up and keep it tidy.
Spray wand
This item allows the user to water the roots of high or deep garden areas without bending, crouching, or using a ladder. It often comes with a variety of spray settings based on the user's needs.
Retractable hose reel
These garden hose reels come with automatic locking and rewind features. They limit the amount of time and effort needed to coil and uncoil the hose. They should be installed at waist height to minimise reaching.
Soaker hose
A soaker hose wets the soil slowly and evenly, eliminating the need to hold the hose for extended periods. This reduces stress and fatigue in the hands.
Aqua spikes
This item is useful for people with reduced hand strength. When inserted into the soil, it releases water slowly, helping to avoid water wastage. It also eliminates the need to hold a hose or turn taps on and off.
Low-risk planting tools
Soft-grip handheld gardening tools
These soft-grip gardening tools have ergonomic handles that conform to the natural shape of the hand. They can be used for a variety of tasks without causing hand pain and discomfort.
Dual kneeling pad and workbench
This item is well-suited for people with joint pain or balance concerns. It can be used as a garden kneeler and seat. The handles provide extra support for standing safely, while the pouch can hold tools.
Lightweight long-handled gardening tools
These tools enable users to complete various gardening tasks from a standing position. This includes tilling soil, removing weeds, and relocating plants. Made from lightweight aluminium, they help reduce fatigue and physical strain.
Long-handled easigrip tools
These tools are well suited for those with weak grips or limited hand control. The right-angled handle promotes a comfortable grip, while the long reach reduces bending.
Low-risk maintenance tools
Garden waste bag
These bags allow users to collect and dispose of leaves, grass clippings, and other garden debris more easily. They reduce the physical strain of handling bulky waste and can also help users carry their most-used tools in a more manageable way.
Foldable beach trolley
These trolleys help move plants, tools, and other garden items without heavy lifting. They are light, easy to fold and store, and have a long handle for easy pushing without bending down.
Long-handled reacher
These tools are ideal for people with limited movement, balance, or are at risk of falling. They have rubber cups on the grabbing mechanism for gripping items without bending. This could include weeds and small fallen branches.
Stand-up weed puller
These tools allow for weed removal without bending or kneeling. They feature steel claws that reach into the soil to grab and remove the root from all directions. Their lightweight design also makes them easy to manoeuvre.
Push-pull weeder
With these tools, people can use a simple back-and-forth motion to uproot weeds without having to pull each one out individually. Though, good balance and strength is needed to collect the debris.
Telescopic hedge shearers
The handles on these trimmers can be adjusted to several different lengths. This enables users to trim plants without getting too close or overreaching. They should be used with both hands to evenly distribute the effort.
Ratchet pruner
These pruners have a self-opening mechanism. This reduces the amount of grip strength and control needed to cut through thick branches and stems. The handle is large enough to accommodate two hands if necessary.
Maximise the benefits of this AT with these considerations and reablement strategies:
Useful resources
If you found this page helpful, check out these resources. They provide more detailed advice about the items mentioned here. They also have general tips on how people can stay independent and healthy as they age:
- Making Choices, Finding Solutions (MCFS): This guide helps older people find and choose simple assistive items for all areas of life. These items are available in everyday online and offline stores. Occupational therapists also share tips on how to use these items correctly.
- Reablement Essentials: These guides help users understand key parts of wellness and reablement. They also assist in sharing the benefits of wellness and reablement with aged care consumers. With these guides, users can help older people lead healthier, more independent lives.
- LiveUp: LiveUp is an online healthy ageing guide. It offers free personalised suggestions for ageing well. Users can take the LiveUp quiz to find advice, activities, and assistive items for their needs. With LiveUp, users can feel empowered to age their way.
- The National Equipment Database (NED): NED is the biggest database of assistive technology (AT) in Australia. It's helpful for users, carers, and health professionals to find, compare, and buy AT. NED enables people of different abilities to live with greater independence.
Next steps
If you want to learn more about applying wellness and reablement in your work, please reach out by:
- Emailing us at keepable@ilaustralia.org.au
- Clicking 'Contact Us' below
We also offer free professional development presentations. These expert-led sessions cover various wellness and reablement topics and can be adapted to your needs.
Head to our Professional Development Presentations page to find out more.
Thank you for your commitment to promoting independence. By helping your clients do things for themselves, you’re helping them enjoy more good days at home, connected to their chosen community.
DISCLAIMER: Please note that while brand names may appear on this site, their inclusion does not imply our endorsement. These branded images have been sourced from our affiliated organisations, NED (National Equipment Database) and LiveUp, and Pinterest to provide informational support and inspiration, not to promote any specific products.