This article was contributed to Leisure Freak by Holly Klamer.
Social wellness and the kind of genuine, nurturing, supportive connections we develop with people around us present us with myriad health benefits all through our lives. However, developing those meaningful connections during senior years of life can get particularly challenging. But, it’s super important to stay socially active during later years for your well-being.
No matter whether you’re extroverted or introverted, having an active social lifestyle is essential for your emotional, physical, and mental health. Some even say that staying socially engaged is as good as daily exercise for your mood and well-being.
How To Stay Socially Active During Old Age
Host family and friends
When you’re busy taking care of family and children – it’s not very feasible to have relatives and friends over. However, if you live alone at home or in personal care homes, you have the best opportunity and time to welcome people in your living space. There’s nothing quite like playing host to your close relations.
You can plan potluck parties, reunions, card games, or have them over for the holiday season. Aging in place gets easier when you keep your doors open for friends and family.
Attend Fitness Classes
You can partake in fitness classes geared toward seniors. You can even join dance classes as they are a fun way to socialize with people of all ages. Dance classes attract folks of all kinds including kids and the elderly. Dance and fitness classes are easily the best way to find new people and develop friendships during old age.
Join a Community Group
All around the country, there are countless local senior centers. These centers provide a host of activities and events geared towards the elderly and senior citizens. Typical events include game nights, fun trips, film screenings, and fitness classes. With a simple Google search, you can find a local community group near you. Living in one of the assisted living homes should enable you to join one such local activity group and meet new people who share similar interests.
Attend Local Events
Perhaps there’s an upcoming art exhibition near you. Or maybe an author is coming into your town to talk about his latest book. You can also attend a local film screening. One good thing about old age is that your calendar is wide open. So, make sure to mark your calendar for all the local fun activities happening around you. You can check Google to see the local activities schedule. If possible, bring your friends and family to those events.
Share Your Living Space with Pet
Research tells us that living with a pet can eradicate loneliness. They give a sense of purpose, joy, encourage movement, promote happiness, and empower independence. The love and companionship a pet offers can work as an antidepressant. It can lower anxiety and depression. People love to stop and talk to pet owners. In this way, pets act as a lubricant for your social life as they help spark conversations with new people.
Volunteer and offer free services
Everywhere you can find non-profit and faith-based communities that are always in need of volunteer work. By joining one such community and by offering your service you get a chance to make a difference in the world. Not only that, but you also get an opportunity to socialize with and meet new people.
When you join an organization that is in line with your hobbies and faith, you get to meet like-minded people. You can always offer help at local hospitals, schools, churches, community centers, temples, and theaters. Living at home or senior care gives you space and time to work at faith-based events as a way to stay socially and culturally active.
Spend Some Time With a Senior Companion
Most people only think that the job of a senior companion is to help around the house with ADLs (Activities of Daily Living). However, their job goes beyond helping with cooking, dressing-up, and cleaning. Having a senior companion can offer you social and emotional support/connection that the elderly often lack. It can almost feel like having a friend around who is ready to play games with you, share meaningful conversations, stories, meals, and even go on adventures with you.
Benefits of Staying Socially Active
Reduces the risk of mental health Issues – Humans are social creatures. We thrive better when we have communal support. That’s why socially active people tend to suffer less from mental health disorders such as depression and Alzheimer’s. Regular interaction with people keeps you sharp even during old age. It slows down cognitive decline as well.
Promotes physical health – Just being around other people naturally promotes movement and physical activity. Going together for walks, hikes, or simply to events automatically gets you the exercise you need. That’s why socially active people tend to enjoy better brain, mental, and cardiovascular health. It keeps issues like arthritis, dementia, and health problems at bay while also nourishing the immune system. Social settings also encourage more eating which gets you better nutrition as well.
Fights loneliness and isolation – People who battle with a sense of loneliness and isolation are at an increased risk for developing long-term health issues like lung diseases, arthritis, dementia, depression, mobility issues, and other illnesses. Being socially active slows down the pace of aging and the toll it takes on human health.
Promotes a sense of companionship and belonging – Participating in conversations and group activities promotes a sense of connection; not just with people but with the world as well. The sense of companionship makes you feel safe and comfortable. Having social connections functions as a support system and a safety net which is always a good thing during old age.
Final Thoughts
Social connections are essential no matter your age. But, for the seniors, it gets particularly important to stay engaged with those around and maintain lasting relationships. It’s a key aspect of entering old age and accepting it with grace and health.
Much thanks to Holly Klamer for contributing this article to Leisure Freak.
Author bio : Holly Klamer is a pet lover who owns a dog and loves to write about everything related to pets. She is a frequent writer and contributor to top online pet publications and blogs, including Faith Based Assisted Living and Pet Friendly Senior Living.