Best Houseplants for Improving Air Quality for Seniors

Family members that want to create a comprehensive elderly care plan for their loved ones need to think about indoor air quality in the home. Studies show indoor air quality can be as high as or higher than many urban cities. This means for many people, they are breathing in particles that can trigger allergies and other respiratory problems while in their own homes.

For seniors, this can be particularly troubling because many already suffer from weakened immune systems and compromised respiratory issues. Fortunately, there is a simple way to help clean the air indoors—houseplants.

How Do Indoor Plants Clean the Air?

Plants can boost air quality due to the unique way they process gases. Plants absorb certain volatile organic compounds from the air through pores in their leaves. Some of the VOCs include formaldehyde, benzene, acetone, and butane. The plants remove the VOCs from the air, send them to the roots and neutralize them.

Carbon dioxide is also absorbed into the plant, and in exchange, it releases pure oxygen into the air. This process is scientifically known as phytoremediation and it’s an efficient, natural process that doesn’t harm the plants but really makes an impact on the air quality. When combined with open windows and a clean ventilation system, plants can definitely boost the air quality in a senior’s home.

The 7 Best Houseplants for Improving Air Quality

While many plants can clean the air, certain varieties are more effective and efficient at it than others. Any family caregivers considering purchasing plants for beauty and improved air quality should look at this list of the 7 best air purifying plants for elderly people.

1. English Ivy

English ivy is a climbing vine that is particularly good at absorbing formaldehyde.

2. Boston Fern

Boston ferns are some of the best air cleaning plants but need regular watering to stay healthy.

3. Golden Pothos

Golden pothos, also known as devil’s ivy, is easy to grow and sports lovely marbled green leaves that absorb all kinds of VOCs.

4. Snake Plant

A snake plant in any room will definitely boost oxygen levels.

5. Peace Lily

The peace lily is an excellent plant for low light conditions but should not be at ground level as it is toxic to pets.

6. Dracaena

Dracaena, particularly the red-edged variety, does best in rooms with moderate sunlight and tall ceilings.

7. Spider Plant

Spider plants are some of the easiest houseplants to grow and they do an excellent job of scrubbing the air of toxins.

Contact Sonas for Home Health Care Services

Poor air quality may seem like no big deal because particles are invisible to the eye, but they can trigger or magnify many health conditions that affect the elderly. Also, many elderly people aren’t as mobile as they used to be or may be bedridden. This means they spend a lot more time indoors than the average adult. If their air quality is improved with the use of houseplants, they can enjoy better health and wellness for years to come.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home health care services in Florida, contact the caring staff at Sonas Home Health Care. Call today (888) 592-5855.

Source
https://www.livescience.com/do-indoor-plants-purify-air

Jillian Miller BSN, RN

Director of Nursing at Sonas Home Health Care

This blog was reviewed by Jillian Miller BSN, RN — Director of Nursing for Sonas Home Health Care’s Tampa Bay market — for clinical accuracy. Jillian Miller has been a nurse for 16 years — working primarily in pediatrics. She believes the best part of working with the pediatric population is when you see smiles from clients when you first enter the room. She loves seeing the difference you can make in families’ lives while providing the best care possible for them.