Garden Strolls and Nature Escapes

There is something about fresh air, trees and a good wide sky that does things four walls simply cannot. For older people, even a short visit to a garden or park can make muscles, minds and moods all breathe out a little.

SteadyGo’s garden and nature outings are built around that simple idea - calm places, gentle movement, beautiful views and plenty of support so people can enjoy it without worrying about how they will get there or get around.

(Opinion - a cuppa in a garden beats a waiting room magazine every time.)

Why nature works so well in later life

As we age, the world can feel noisy and demanding. Hospitals, clinics, traffic and supermarket aisles are all full of beeping, rushing and decisions.

Green spaces are the opposite. They offer -

• Slower pace and softer sounds

• Gentle light instead of harsh glare

• Things that are growing, not just things that need fixing

For many older people, gardens also connect to long, rich histories of -

• Veggie patches and flower beds

• Farms and orchards

• Picnics and holidays by rivers and beaches

A simple path through trees can open doors to stories that have not been told in years.

A feast for the senses, at a gentle level

Nature gives the senses something to do without overwhelming them.

On a SteadyGo garden outing, people might notice -

• Colour – blossom, new leaves, flowers, autumn trees, blue sky

• Sound – birds, wind in leaves, distant lawnmowers, footsteps on gravel

• Smell – damp earth, cut grass, roses, salty air on coastal trips

• Touch – a smooth bench, a cool breeze, the warmth of the sun

All of this quietly stimulates the brain.

It can also give people a break from the constant hum of appliances, televisions and indoor heaters. Ten minutes on a shaded bench can reset the nervous system far more effectively than another hour in front of the news.

(Opinion - you can almost feel some people’s shoulders dropping as soon as the vehicle door opens.)

Short, safe strolls wrapped in support

Many older people like the idea of “a walk in the park” but worry about -

• How far they might have to walk

• Whether there will be somewhere to sit

• Uneven ground and surprise steps

• Getting caught in bad weather

SteadyGo plans nature and garden trips with those worries front of mind -

• Paths are chosen for being flat, firm and well-maintained wherever possible

• There are seats or resting spots within short distances

• Walks are optional – some people are happiest staying near the vehicle with a good view

• Time is allowed for slow walking, chatting and looking around

Drivers and hosts are on hand to -

• Offer an arm for balance

• Manage walkers, sticks and wheelchairs

• Keep an eye out for fatigue

• Gently steer people towards shade, sun or shelter as needed

The goal is not to clock up steps. It is to create a day where bodies move a little, senses wake up and no one feels rushed.

Seasonal outings, year-round benefits

Nature has the decency to change the scenery for us.

Across the year, SteadyGo garden and nature trips might include -

• Spring – blossom walks, new leaves, lambs in paddocks

• Summer – shady gardens, coastal breezes, evening light

• Autumn – colourful trees, crisp air, quieter parks

• Winter – short, bright strolls on clear days, followed by something warm to drink

Repeat visitors often enjoy seeing the same place at different times of year -

• “Last time these trees were bare.”

• “Those roses were just buds when we came before.”

This sense of continuity – watching a place change – can be especially comforting for people who have had to move out of their long-term home.

Nature and memory - a gentle anchor

For people living with dementia or memory loss, gardens can be both soothing and stimulating.

Familiar sights and smells, such as -

• Roses, lavender, jasmine or citrus

• Vegetable gardens with silverbeet, beans and tomatoes

• Old-fashioned flowers like dahlias and hydrangeas

often spark flashes of recognition -

• “Mum always grew those.”

• “We had a row of these along the driveway.”

Even if the details are hazy, the feelings are often clear – pride, comfort, humour about past gardening disasters.

SteadyGo staff learn to spot these moments and give them room. They might slow the pace, stay a little longer at a particular bed, or invite a short story without putting anyone on the spot.

(Opinion - you do not need perfect recall for a garden to feel like a friendly place.)

Quiet company for introverts and tired minds

Not everyone wants a bustling café or busy market. For some, that much noise and conversation is simply exhausting.

Nature and garden trips are ideal for -

• People who prefer quiet surroundings

• Those who like to sit and watch rather than talk

• Older minds that are easily overloaded by crowds

On these outings, it is perfectly acceptable to -

• Sit on a bench in companionable silence

• Listen rather than join in conversations

• Watch birds, clouds and leaves instead of people

SteadyGo drivers and hosts understand that “a good day out” looks different for different people. Some come home with new friends and stories. Others come home rested, with a calm that words do not quite capture.

Both outcomes are valuable.

Planning around weather and comfort

New Zealand weather has opinions of its own. Planning nature trips means respecting that.

SteadyGo manages this by -

• Checking forecasts and choosing days and destinations sensibly

• Having wet-weather backup plans where possible

• Making sure passengers know what to wear and bring – coats, hats, layers

• Keeping trips flexible enough to shorten or adjust if the weather turns

Comfort is also taken seriously -

• Access to toilets is non-negotiable

• There is thought given to sun exposure and shade

• People who feel the cold can stay on the vehicle with a good view

• Warm drinks and snacks are often built into the outing

That practical care means older people can enjoy nature without gritting their teeth through drizzle, wind or blazing sun.

Reassurance for families and facilities

Families and retirement village staff often love the idea of their older relatives or residents getting out into nature, but worry about -

• Falls on uneven ground

• Getting lost in busy parks

• Over-tiredness and confusion

SteadyGo addresses those concerns with -

• Careful destination choices – accessible gardens, well-known parks, clear paths

• Staff who stay close – nobody is wandering off on their own

• Structured timing – clear start and finish, with rest built in

• Transport that understands mobility – hoists, rails, help with transfers

Knowing that outings are planned through a “safety first, enjoyment a very close second” lens helps families say yes with more confidence.

(Opinion - the best reassurance is a passenger who comes home tired in a good way, talking about “those beautiful trees” instead of “that stressful day”.)

How SteadyGo thinks about nature trips

Behind every garden or nature outing are a few simple principles -

• Calm – choose places that soothe rather than stress

• Access – make it possible for walkers, stick users and wheelchair users

• Choice – allow people to walk, sit, explore or simply look

• Care – keep a close eye on comfort, energy and weather

For older people, these trips offer more than fresh air. They offer a chance to feel part of the living world – growing, changing, quietly thriving.

For families and carers, they offer a deep kind of comfort - knowing that the person they love has spent time somewhere beautiful, with people who understand how to make that beauty genuinely accessible.

A small nature escape will not fix every health problem. It can, however, turn a routine day into one where someone sleeps better, smiles more and remembers that there is still a wide, green world waiting just beyond the driveway – with SteadyGo ready to do the driving.