We all know that keeping up with preventative care, eating well, and exercising often can keep us healthy for longer. However, recent research is showing us that socialization needs to be a foundational part of our healthy aging plan. Social connection to peers can not only reduce isolation and feelings of perceived loneliness, but it can also boost self-esteem, decrease the risk for physical and cognitive conditions, and leave seniors feeling happier. Even better, you don’t have to be an extrovert or a natural social butterfly to reap the benefits from social connection; you just have to be consistent in cultivating friendships and meaningful relationships.
Here are some reasons to schedule in time to socialize.
1. Reduces Loneliness and Social Isolation
The biggest benefit of consistent socialization is that it reduces isolation and feelings of perceived loneliness. This is particularly important for older adults, as seniors are more vulnerable to feeling lonely than other age groups. Research shows us that nearly one-quarter of adults over the age of 65 are considered to be socially isolated. Further, 33% of seniors have reported feeling lonely at some time during the research window studied. Both of these numbers are significantly higher than people of younger ages.
There are multiple reasons why seniors are more vulnerable to isolation and feeling lonely, including:
- Loss of independent transportation
- Retirement
- Health changes can make social visits more difficult, or they may feel embarrassed and choose to skip the events
- Living far from family and other friends
- Death of lifelong and other friends
- Mobility challenges
- Cognitive changes
Fortunately, consistent socialization with peers can reduce social isolation and feelings of loneliness. Social interaction helps the older adult feel seen, supported, included, and connected with their community.
2. Supports Better Mental and Emotional Health
Going out to get coffee with a friend can change the momentum of your entire day. There’s something comforting about being able to chat and share an experience with someone else, whether you’re getting coffee, having dinner, or even taking a walk around the block. When your senior loved one is connected with peers, they are able to enjoy these mental and emotional health benefits.
The National Institute on Aging reports that socially connected older adults have a reduced risk of both depression and anxiety. In addition, they are also able to call on healthy coping skills in times of stress and worry. Encourage your loved one to get by with a little help from their friends by scheduling time to intentionally connect with their peers. Consistent dates with a neighbor, visits with a friend, or regularly scheduled breakfast club events can lead to a better mood, daily outlook, and feelings of connection.
3. Improves Physical Health and Wellness
Socialization can do wonders for physical health and wellness, improving health outcomes for older adults. Just a few examples of how socialization can manifest in seniors include:
- Better immune system response
- Reduced risk of heart disease
- Reduced risk of stroke
- Better sleep patterns and quality
- Lowers risk of obesity
Connecting with peers and friends can lead to feeling better, moving better, and making better health decisions. Those who are socially isolated can miss these benefits and end up feeling sicker or living with more chronic conditions.
4. Encourages Healthier Lifestyle Choices
Sometimes, peer pressure can be a good thing, especially in the senior years. Socially connected older adults are more likely to make good health decisions, as their social circle can positively influence their daily habits and routines. For example, participating in a regular walking club or group fitness session means a senior not only gets to see their friends each time and have a chat, but they are also less likely to skip a class when they know their friends are counting on them to be there. Accountability can lead to better choices, especially when it comes to health and wellness.
Meeting up with friends for meals can also have a positive effect on making better health choices. While sharing a meal doesn’t necessarily mean everyone is choosing the low calorie option, it does mean that the seniors are showing up for one another, visiting about their lives, getting feedback on what is bothering them, and enjoying the benefits that come with that interaction.
Senior living communities are an excellent way to watch this in action. Residents meet for meals multiple times per day and have the option to participate in fitness and wellness activities together. The residents are more likely to come to a meal or wellness event if they know their friends will be there, saving them a seat.
5. Cognitive Health: Keeping the Mind Sharp
Many seniors are searching for ways they can ensure they will remain cognitively healthy for as long as possible. While eating certain foods and exercise can certainly help, consistent socialization is also a key factor in keeping memory loss at bay.
Socialization and feeling connected to peers has been linked to lower risk of dementia as well as to slowing dementia progression. The key to this link is the interaction between peers. For example, just attending a group activity (but not interacting with others) can increase the risk of dementia while attending the group activity and interacting with others can decrease the risk. The takeaway? Seniors need to interact with others in order to get the socialization benefits.
6. Builds a Sense of Belonging & Purpose
Socialization doesn’t need to be with lifelong friends in order to be meaningful. Instead, connecting with neighbors, acquaintances, and other peers is just as beneficial as if the senior was connecting with a friend they have had for many years. Social connections, whether with a friend or a new neighbor, can help the older adult feel a part of a community as well as offer them the opportunity to have a meaningful conversation or interaction.
If your senior loved one doesn’t have a strong circle of established friends, that is ok. There are plenty of ways to encourage them to get involved with new folks:
- Encourage participation in congregate meals at the local senior center or senior services department of their town
- Sign up for a weekly group fitness class at the gym
- Attend social events at the parks department or at your loved one’s place of worship
- Consider finding a club that meets your loved one’s interests, like a birding, hiking, or crochet club
If your loved one is nervous to attend on their own, tag along! You’ll be able to provide a familiar and encouraging face as they try something new.
7. Increases Safety and Support
If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to keep a senior healthy as well. With family caregivers often living miles or states away, knowing your loved one has a group of people who see and interact with them on a regular basis can give you peace of mind and can be an important part of your loved one’s health plan.
Friends, neighbors, and peers who your loved one socially interacts with can often notice small changes in health, behavior, appetite, or mood. These observations are often small indications of an illness or change in condition, which can lead to early intervention and treatment.
In addition, socially connected seniors have more people they can ask for help from when they need it. Social connections mean a stronger and wider safety net that your loved one can rely on when the situation arises.
8. Enhances Overall Quality of Life
Finally, feeling connected to community, neighborhood, and friends makes everyday life feel more full, joyful, and engaging. It is nice to be able to wave at the neighbor and start up a quick conversation while you’re getting the mail. It’s lovely to be able to look forward to having lunch with friends from church after worship service. These small interactions are hardly small at all, and they pack a serious punch with how we feel physically, emotionally, and cognitively.
When you’re scheduling your loved one’s medications and physician visits, remember that it is just as important to schedule in socialization opportunities for them to take advantage of as well. Feeling connected to others (not just family members) is a crucial step to healthy aging goals.
Social Connection Is Essential to Healthy Aging
Recent research has connected social isolation and perceived loneliness to serious health concerns among older adults. The best way to counteract isolation and loneliness is to make an intentional, consistent effort to socialize with neighbors, acquaintances, and peers. Encourage your senior loved one to add regular social events to their calendar and then ask them how it went. Invite them to chat with you about who they met and what they spoke about. This way, you’ll get a glimpse into their social life and they’ll feel good recounting how their time went.
Most community-dwelling seniors are at a higher risk of isolation and perceived loneliness. If your loved one is struggling to get out of the house to connect with others consistently throughout the week, a move to senior living could be your best decision. Senior living communities are vibrant hubs of activity and connection; residents gather for meals and social activities daily as well as use shared community spaces like outdoor patios, gardens, living rooms, and art workshops. It is easier to make new friends and foster new relationships in a community designed for it.
Here at Legend Senior Living, we love watching residents make new friends with friendly neighbors who live right down the hall. If you’d like to see what intentional social connection can look like, we welcome you to take a tour of a residence near you. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.
