Wondering whether you, an older friend, or a senior family member can safely mow the lawn?
Here, I’ve answered the question: “Can elderly people safely mow the lawn?” I’ve also discussed the factors affecting the safety of lawn mowing for seniors, and the pros and cons of mowing the lawn as an older person.
✅Key Takeaways:
Elderly people can safely mow the lawn as long as they’re physically mobile and have a relatively small space to mow.
Factors affecting the safety of lawn mowing for the elderly include the lawn size, the mower type, and the person’s age, health, and mobility.
Mowing a lawn is a great way to stay fit, reduce the risk of heart disease, and interact with the outside world, but it carries a risk of injury in older people.
Table of Contents
👷 Can Elderly People Safely Mow The Lawn?
Yes, it’s generally safe for an elderly person to mow the lawn, as long as they’re mobile, they only have a relatively small space to mow, and they don’t have any health issues that make a relatively strenuous activity like lawn mowing dangerous.
The NHS recommends that adults aged 65 and over should do at least 150 minutes of a moderate-intensity activity per week, citing “pushing a lawn mower” as one of these activities.
Speak to your doctor if you want advice on whether you or an elderly family member or friend can safely mow a lawn.
🔋 What Type Of Lawn Mower Is Best For The Elderly?
I generally recommend corded electric mowers for the elderly because they’re lightweight, without the extra hassle of a petrol mower or the weight of a battery-powered mower.
The type of lawn mower that’s right for you (or your elderly family member or friend) depends on your circumstances. If your lawn is very small (less than 50 m²) and flat, you may prefer a manual mower, which is quicker and easier to set up.
Our top recommended lawn mower for elderly gardeners is the Bosch Rotak 34R Electric Lawnmower. It’s lightweight at just 11 kilograms, with a relatively wide 34cm cutting width that will help you to mow faster and in fewer laps.
Looking for more recommendations? Check out our complete guide to the best lawn mowers for the elderly.
📝 Factors Affecting The Safety Of Lawn Mowing For The Elderly
There are a few factors that affect whether or not lawn mowing is safe for senior citizens:
📆 Age
Age is a factor that affects a person’s general mobility and physical abilities.
As people age, they become less capable of activities such as pushing, lifting heavy objects, and bending down.
These activities could cause injury, so it’s important to listen to your body and only do what you’re capable of.
Generally, the older the person, the more they may struggle to mow the lawn.
🦾 Mobility
I’ve already touched on mobility. The more mobile you are, the more capable you should be of mowing the lawn.
If you can comfortably push a shopping trolly full of food, you should be fine to mow your lawn. But remember that lawn mowing also involves bending down to clean the mower, lifting and emptying the grass box (if you’re using one), and getting the mower in and out of storage.
Certain illnesses or health conditions may cause poor balance or restrict your mobility. Consult your doctor if you’re not sure whether you’re mobile enough to safely mow your lawn.
🚑 Health
Some health problems might make lawn mowing dangerous for older adults.
For instance, if you have an underlying heart condition, or problems with your lungs, your doctor may tell you to avoid strenuous activity, so you will need to be careful when partaking in activities such as mowing your lawn.
Some conditions of the brain, like dementia, may also make lawn mowing an unsafe activity for an older person. Again, speak to a health professional if you’re unsure.
🔌 Mower Type
The mower type you use will also affect an older person’s ability to mow the lawn.
Older petrol lawn mowers are a no-no for elderly gardeners. They’re clunky, heavy, and difficult to use, they’re often a hassle to start, and they require regular servicing and maintenance.
A much more user-friendly, low-maintenance lawn mower for seniors is a corded electric mower, which uses electricity from a power outlet – so you can simply plug it in and get started.
Corded electric mowers are lightweight and easy to use, so they’re much safer for older people.
Corded Electric Mower
Battery Powered Mower
Corded Hover Mower
🟩📐 Lawn Size
Older people become physically tired at a faster rate from certain activities, so if you need to mow a medium or large lawn, you may struggle to do this once you reach your late sixties or seventies.
On the other end, most people within this age range can still comfortably mow a small lawn. As long as your lawn is less than 50-100 m², you should be able to mow it (as long as you’re fit and mobile to do so).
🏞 Lawn Type & Gradient
Your lawn type and gradient is the final factor that will affect your ability to mow as a senior citizen.
Lawns with rough, bumpy terrain, or lawns with hills or slopes, are more difficult to mow because you’ll need to use more effort and core body strength.
If your lawn is flat, and you mow your grass frequently enough to avoid having to wade through a mini jungle, you’ll find it easier to mow – and therefore it’ll be more suitable for an older gardener.
🧐 Benefits And Setbacks Of Lawn Mowing For Seniors
Here are the main benefits of setbacks of lawn mowing for older people:
👍 Benefits:
Helps Maintain Well-Being – Getting out in your garden has mental health benefits. Mowing your lawn will promote feelings of accomplishment, and nature can generate calmness and joy, helping to reduce depression and anxiety.
Boosts physical health – The physical act of mowing your lawn will help you to stay fit and healthy. A study published in the European Heart Journal found that over-60s who increased their levels of activity reduced heart disease by up to 11%.
Social activity – Most of us mow our lawns in the summer, when we’re more likely to meet other people mowing their own lawns, walking their dogs, or simply enjoying the good weather. Mowing your lawn is a great way to get outdoors and chat to your neighbours.
👎 Setbacks:
Physically demanding – Mowing your lawn may pass the point of being enjoyable exercise and become physically demanding, especially if you’re older than 70 or you have a particularly big garden to tackle.
Increases the potential for injury. You’ll have to put your back into mowing your lawn, even if you’ve invested in a newer lawn mower that’s lighter, easier, and faster to use. There’s always a chance that you could sustain a back, arm, hand, or shoulder injury from mowing, especially if you try to rush or over-exert yourself.
🏁 Final Word
Older people certainly can mow the lawn, and there are lots of health benefits that come from doing so – but there are many factors that may affect your own circumstances.
Our top tip is to discuss your ability to safely mow your lawn with a doctor or a health professional.
If your doctor gives you the go-ahead, take your time. Mow a small section of your lawn, then assess the situation. How do you feel? Do you need to take a break and return to the job later? If yes, listen to your body. There’s no rush! You can mow at your own pace.
Try to mow in the morning or the late afternoon, when the weather is slightly cooler. If your current mower is unnecessarily bulky and heavy, consider investing in a smaller, lighter model. The newer mowers and gardening tools are much more ergonomically designed, so they’re well worth the investment.
Above all, don’t be afraid to ask neighbours or family members to help you with your lawn mowing duties. You’ll likely find somebody in your community who’s happy to offer some support, so you definitely don’t have to continue mowing your lawn if you no longer think you can safely do so.