200. Aging Well Through Nature: Lessons from My 93-Year-Old Mother’s Garden
About this episode
Victoria Hackett reflects on the importance of nature in healthy aging through personal stories and research.
Episode #200: Aging Well Through Nature: Lessons from My 93-Year-Old Mother’s Garden This Mother’s Day, I visited my 93-year-old mother and spent time in her garden—a living, breathing oasis filled with flowers, birds, sunlight, and the quiet rhythm of seasonal change. As I watched her move through this familiar space, I found myself reflecting on something we often overlook: nature is not just for children. In this episode, I share a personal story alongside research and reflection on how nature supports healthy aging, emotional wellbeing, memory, purpose, and quality of life in older adults. From gardening to sunlight to sensory connection, we explore why outdoor spaces matter deeply across the entire lifespan. We also consider what it means to age in place surrounded by nature—and why beauty, rhythm, and connection remain essential at every age. In This Episode A visit to my 93-year-old mother’s garden What nature offers in aging and elderhood Research on nature and healthy aging Emotional and cognitive benefits of gardens Why nature matters across the lifespan Key Takeaway Nature is not optional in later life—it is essential to wellbeing, connection, and how we continue to…
More episodes of Outdoor Classrooms Podcast
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- 198: Beyond the Front Door with José Bergeron: Small Shifts That Transform Family & Classroom Life Outdoors
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