“It’s just the garden.”
How often do we hear this phrase when talking about home adaptations for older adults? Too often, the garden is seen as a ‘nice to have’—something optional, rather than essential. But for many people, especially as mobility starts to decline, the garden becomes so much more than a piece of outdoor space.
It’s a sanctuary.
A place of calm and peace.
A daily dose of nature.
A reminder of identity, of seasons, of joy.
After a truly inspiring conversation with the team at Invisible Creations®, I was reminded just how vital garden access is—particularly in later life. Their beautifully designed, discreet garden grab rails are a breath of fresh air in a world where functional equipment so often sacrifices aesthetic appeal.
As an Occupational Therapist, I’m passionate about supporting people to stay connected to every part of their home—including the outdoors. I believe we need to stop treating gardens as optional and start recognising them as a crucial part of our wellbeing.
And there’s research to back this up.
Access to green spaces has been linked to improved physical, mental, and emotional health—especially in older adults. The Biophilia Hypothesis suggests that humans have an innate connection to nature, and that contact with natural environments is essential for psychological restoration and stress reduction. This is supported by Attention Restoration Theory (Kaplan & Kaplan), which argues that natural environments help the brain recover from cognitive fatigue and improve concentration.
Moreover, studies have shown that regular interaction with green spaces can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, lower blood pressure, improve sleep, and even support immune function. For older adults, gardening and spending time outdoors are associated with reduced frailty, improved mobility, and enhanced life satisfaction.
Yet, when someone’s mobility declines, it’s common to hear, “we just won’t go out there anymore.” And that breaks my heart. Because in many cases, it doesn’t take much to make access possible again—it just takes thoughtful design and the right support.
That’s where Occupational Therapy can make all the difference.
Imagine being supported by a service that not only assessed your needs, but understood your desires—to move freely, to enjoy the breeze, to tend a plant, to sit with a cup of tea in the sunshine. And imagine if the adaptations made to help you do that were beautiful as well as functional. Subtle. Stylish. In harmony with your home and garden.
That’s exactly what I’m working on.
A new way of thinking about access and aging.
A revolution that says: you deserve it all.
Watch this space.
Because your garden isn’t ‘just’ a garden.
It’s your haven. And you should never have to give it up.
Want to learn more about how Occupational Therapy can help you stay connected to the spaces you love? Get in touch — let’s make access beautiful.
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