Daily home gardening improved survival for older people with mobility limitations: an 11-year follow-up study in Taiwan

Results

Daily home gardening was associated with a high survival rate. The benefits were robust for those with mobility limitations, but without depression at baseline when adjusted for time-dependent comorbidities, mobility limitations, and depression. Chronic or relapsed depression weakened the protection of gardening. For those without mobility limitations and not depressed at baseline, gardening had no effect.

Conclusion

Daily gardening for pleasure was associated with reduced mortality for Taiwanese >50 years old with mobility limitations but without depression.