According to community studies, severe loneliness in adults ages 65 and up ranges between 2 and 16%. At any time, up to 32% of seniors feel lonely. Loneliness and social isolation can affect your mental health and overall senior well-being.
Before that happens, try building strong relationships in your community. Social connection can benefit your mental and emotional health. It can give you a sense of belonging as you enjoy your retirement.
Why do relationships matter in your senior years, and how can you forge connections? Read on to find out.
The Importance of Senior Relationships
According to a survey by Pew Research Center, 61% of respondents said that having close friends is extremely or very important to living a fulfilling life.
Maintaining a strong social connection can benefit your emotional, physical, and mental health. Here are a few ways socializing can improve your senior well-being.
Improved Mental Health
Loneliness can cause mental health issues, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Feelings of hopelessness
You may start withdrawing from social activities. Interacting with friends and family less often can further affect your mental health.
Loneliness and isolation are associated with cognitive decline. According to results from the Amsterdam Study of the Elderly, loneliness can increase a senior’s risk of dementia by over 60%.
You may notice changes in your behavior, including:
- Fatigue
- Changes in appetite
- Sleep disturbances
- Difficulty concentrating
Maintaining relationships can give you a sense of community and belonging. It can improve your mood and outlook as you surround yourself with support.
Socializing could have a protective effect against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It helps us maintain cognitive function, reduces stress, and makes us more resilient to disease progression.
Spending time with others encourages mental stimulation through activities, conversation, and problem-solving. This could help you maintain your cognitive abilities.
It may improve your mood and overall senior well-being. Consider exploring your senior living community’s upcoming activities. You can improve your mental health while spending time with others.
Better Physical Health
According to the National Council on Aging, social isolation and loneliness can put older adults at risk for the following:
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Weakened immune system
- Death
Loneliness can increase your risk of mortality by 50% (higher than the effects of excessive alcohol use, air pollution, and obesity). Instead, start fostering new friendships.
Developing high-quality relationships may help you live a longer, healthier life, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It could reduce your risk of chronic conditions while encouraging:
- Healthy eating habits
- Quality of sleep
- Physical activity
Having stable social connections can help you cope with stressful situations. You’ll make healthier decisions, which can improve your longevity.
Stronger Emotional Health
Surrounding yourself with a network of people can boost your self-esteem. Feeling more confident may encourage you to take healthy risks in life. It encourages trust, communication, and conflict management, which can improve your emotional health and resilience.
How to Make a Social Connection
Nurturing aging relationships can improve your quality of life. Here are a few tips to help you make and maintain a social connection.
Explore Senior Living Community Activities
Join your local senior living community and explore their upcoming events. You can meet with people who share common interests to start forging new connections. These activities may include:
- Bingo
- Card games
- Educational classes
- Themed parties
- Ice cream socials
- Chair volleyball
Consider exploring new activities and expanding your skill set. Learning new skills can benefit your mental health by building neural pathways. Your brain will operate at a higher level of cognitive capacity.
Try sharing your own skills with a new friend. Exchanging knowledge with others can help you take pride in your abilities.
Join an Exercise Class
Staying active can benefit your physical and mental health. Your senior living community’s wellness program may offer different classes, including the following:
- Pilates
- Yoga
- Strength training
- Walking groups
You can schedule a daily walk with friends each morning. Walking with friends can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. You can strengthen social bonds, have meaningful experiences, and make walking fun.
Exercising will lower your blood sugar, improve your heart health, and reduce stress. It may help slow the decline in bone density and improve muscle mass, benefiting your mobility.
Stepping outside for a few minutes each day will help stimulate your body’s natural vitamin D production. Vitamin D offers anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antioxidant properties. It supports brain cell activity, immunity, and muscle function.
Continue Your Education
Continuing your education can:
- Help you forge senior relationships
- Challenge your mind
- Improve your mood
- Help you gain confidence
- Improve your memory
- Benefit your cognitive health
- Enhance your self-esteem
You can keep your mind engaged, meet new friends, and learn something new. Join classes at your local community college to connect with people who share similar interests. Consider starting a study group or spending time with your peers outside of class.
Volunteer
Giving back to the community can give you a new sense of purpose. It can be fulfilling and help you meet new friends. Service organizations that need volunteers include:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
- American Red Cross
- Feeding America
- Meals on Wheels
- United Way
- Habitat for Humanity
- The Salvation Army
Volunteering can reduce symptoms of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. It can increase physical activity, reduce stress, and give you something to look forward to.
Join Support Groups
Join a support group for help navigating challenging emotions like grief. You can connect with people who understand the experiences you’re facing. You can learn from them and lean on new friends for support.
Start Building Strong Relationships Today
Building strong relationships as a senior can benefit your mental, physical, and emotional health. Use these tips to discover a new social connection. Remember, you can meet other seniors at your local senior living community.
Discover The Welstone at Mission Crossing, a lively, active community known for friendly residents. We offer engaging wellness activities, exclusive senior lifestyle programs, and comfortable living options.
We can help you live an enriching life. Contact us now to schedule a tour in Mission, KS.
