How Flower Gifts Can Improve the Lifestyle of the Elderly

This article is about flowers, and their life enhancing effects on senior citizens. It is based on studies carried out in 2001 by researchers at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The enlightening study involved a six month human behavioural pattern on the valuable and positive attributes of flowers, their great benefits and positive health effects on the elderly.

The  study demonstrated that as we advance in age, a regular 'dose' of nature, in form of flowers will:

• Ease the depressive moods associated with many senior citizens.
• Reinvigorate and rejuvenate the mind, and give a boost to sense of well being.
• Sharpen the memory and revive the spirit.

As we grow older and move on in life, the challenges we face become more complex, testing, and in many cases, extremely worrisome.

Complex, because the challenges of ageing, which include disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, depression, Parkinson's disease, dementia, physical challenges, reclusive tendencies and social withdrawal, makes us vulnerable and incapable of performing routine day-to-day activities.

Testing, because the thoughts of the possibilities of being subjected to challenging difficulties in the twilight years can be unsettling and hard to imagine.

And worrisome because even though concerned nations are constantly and continuously researching new ways and methods to ease the anxieties of senior citizens'  as it concerns health and lifestyle, finding good and compassionate care for seniors is becoming a source of concern for adult children or extended families.

Research On Flowers & Seniors, Amazing Study Results

With researchers still finding ways to make life better for senior citizens, the floral studies carried out by Rutgers is an awesome revelation and an eye-opener, as it demonstrated how flowers can have a positive and constructive effect on seniors. It shows us how flowers inspire the elderly to socialise, ease their depression, boost their esteem, lighten their moods and refresh their memories.

There were two groups of seniors, some were given flowers, the others weren't, and they were all unaware of the research. Flowers were given to them or placed in their rooms over a period of time. The amazing results of the study revealed how nature possesses a support system that helps seniors cope with growing old. The experiment revealed the following facts:

• Flowers have an astounding effect on a senior's recent memory. In the presence of a flower bouquet everyday for as long as the research lasted, they experienced enhanced recollections of personal matters.

• They were presented with routine memory tasks, and at this, they fared quite well.

• The sight of flowers decreased their depression, and with a decrease in depression, spirits became lifted.

• There was a marked elevation of positive feelings, good moods were enhanced, and their happiness and joy became apparent in their broad smiles and bright lively chatter.

• Flowers encouraged friendliness, and improved their urge for companionship and camaraderie.

Those in the group that received flowers expanded their social network with friends and local communities, with some giving religious support to their local churches, some organising social events for seniors, and others acting as  personnel for support groups that involved assisting or counselling other senior citizens.

We all know that seeing flowers, touching them or just simply smelling their fragrances uplifts our spirits, and no one smells a flower without a gentle smile on their face. However, the astounding results of the Rutgers research, showing the effects of flowers on senior citizens was especially insightful.

Out of all the elderly citizens that received flowers, precisely

• 81 percent reported a reduction in depression.
• 40 percent widened their social contacts beyond their family and neighbours' circles.
• 72 percent scored very high on memory tests.

Quoting Dr. Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., professor of psychology, Project Director, Human Development Lab at Rutgers, "The results are significant, because as our nation grows older and life becomes more stressful, we look for easy and natural ways to enhance our lives - and the lives of our ageing parents."

• What this tell us is that flowers are linked to:
• Physical and mental well being
• Satisfaction
• An exciting lifestyle
• A new lease on life

The research shows how nature has provided a simple, pleasant, and  natural element, something that we all take for granted, to help senior citizens live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Beautiful flowers are with us, around us everyday, and literarily 'in our faces'.

Flowers abound everywhere, all over the world, each region with its own peculiar species. They can be found in beautiful gardens, as lovely flower bouquets, at on-line flower shops, and at the florist's shop down the road. Flower delivery services thrive because people present flower gifts all year round.

The research study reminds us once again that nature possesses an answer or remedy to most conditions, ailments or disorders that may afflict the human race. And as the senior citizen population grows year after year, it is good to know that a small but daily 'dose of nature', in form of flowers, will make them happier and healthier people, and having contact with flowers as often as is possible, will prepare them for a world of wonders in their twilight years.

So, when you call that flower delivery service to send flowers to seniors, you are doing them more good than can ever be imagined.

Senior Citizens - How Study Associates Flowers With Happiness & Well Being.......It states how the study was conducted, and it's amazing results.

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