B13 - Getting a Gardener

Older people often list the burden of maintaining lawns and gardens as a major reason for wanting to move house.

But there are ways of managing a garden if you want to stay where you are. You can:

• get help
• change your garden to make it easier to manage. See B14 Modifying the Garden.

Getting help

If you are eligible for or already receive a Disability Allowance (see B15 Disability Allowance), you could use some of that funding to hire a gardener. See C7 Receiving Financial Assistance for a Gardener.

Alternatively, you can make your own arrangements to pay for help with garden and lawns. See C8 Paying for a Gardener.

Or, a family member or friend might be happy to help with your garden work.

Pros

• Getting help in the garden doesn't mean that you have to stop gardening. You can have limited help with strenuous jobs, such as, tree and shrub trimming or mowing the lawns, and continue to do some of the gardening yourself. You can use a gardener as much or as little as you like.
• Maintaining a garden has important health benefits, including improving coordination and flexibility, increasing exercise, reducing stress, increasing exposure to vitamin D and improving the immune system.

Cons

• Gardeners can be costly.
• Gardening is very weather dependent and a gardener may not be always be available when you need them and the weather is right.

What do I need in order to take this option?

• You must have the funds to pay for a gardener or you must have access to funding.

Could this option limit my future choices?

No, it could help you to stay living longer in your home. A well-kept garden will also help to maintain the value of your home - something to bear in mind if you think you might want to sell in future.

For more information

• Work and Income, Disability Allowance. See: www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/disability-allowance.html
• Supergold, for information on businesses providing discounted gardening services www.supergold.govt.nz/