Getting to the root of the problem: Informing design through the exploration of the gardening experience of older women

Gardening is a leisure activity that can be beneficial for both health and wellbeing of older women. Although the ageing process can provide more challenges for this group, adaptation of the activities and the tools will allow them to continue the beneficial activities. To explore the gardening experience of an older female (50+) target group and focus on their perception of the various different tasks, this online survey-based research included a range of different gardening tasks and the motivations for doing gardening activities. Participants (N=89) answered 38 questions regarding gardening motivation, experience and comparison of different tasks. Moving heavy things in the garden is done by few of the older women and this task is more often done by their spouse/partner. It is also perceived as the least enjoyable and the most difficult gardening activity. Improving this task will empower older women to do this supporting task independently so that they do not rely on social networks or paid help. Tool aspects were found to be important for older women's gardening motivation, and improving on the task through product design is therefore expected to have a positive impact on gardening participation and consequently health and wellbeing of older women.