Many seniors experience a decline in socialization as they age. This can be due to losing friends and family or the onset of physical ailments that limit mobility and independence.
Luckily, senior living communities are designed to support and encourage social interaction. Learn the importance of socialization and how your loved one can benefit from community-centered activities:
Make New Friends
While maintaining friendships may be more difficult once you move out of the family home, most senior living communities have an active social calendar and group activities. This means it’s easier to meet new friends and enjoy a variety of interests.
For example, a daily walking club can help seniors maintain their health and fitness. In contrast, an interest-based social group like a book club allows them to discuss favorite authors and books. Whether it’s a hobby or a new passion, sharing these experiences with others can strengthen bonds and create a sense of community and belonging.
In addition, socializing can help ease the stress of daily life. For example, a recent study found that holding another person’s hand can reduce your brain’s response to a threat or challenge. This sense of companionship and support can also reduce your risk for depression and anxiety. People with strong social ties have a higher quality of life and live longer than those without.
Stay Active
The senior living homes run by Aviva allow residents to make new friends and spend time with existing ones. Socialization helps people avoid the isolation that might result in mental health problems, whether they go shopping with their neighbors or join a group for a pleasant activity.
Regular social interaction also improves cognitive health. Regular healthy contact among elders might assist them in avoiding memory-related illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease and general cognitive loss.
Regular social interaction may also strengthen seniors’ sense of purpose and help them feel loved and wanted, benefiting their emotional and psychological health. This positive mindset may inspire individuals to make other healthy lifestyle decisions, such as eating wholesome meals and exercising regularly.
Learn New Skills
Whether learning to speak a new language or taking a course on improving one’s cooking skills, learning something new boosts self-esteem and builds dopamine. Many senior living communities offer lifelong learning activities for residents to get involved with.
They also provide opportunities for seniors to develop meaningful relationships with their peers that foster a sense of belonging. As a result, they can nurture positive mental health that motivates them to care for themselves physically by staying active and eating well. In fact, according to Helpguide, studies have shown that a strong social support network can reduce the effects of loneliness and depression, making it easier for a senior to make healthy choices in their everyday lives.
Stay Connected
As a senior grows older, maintaining an active social life cannot be easy. Many factors influence this, including retirement, losing friends or loved ones, and health challenges that may lead to limited mobility.
Socializing with others gives seniors a sense of belonging and reaffirms their worth. This can help them feel motivated to make healthy choices, like maintaining regular exercise or eating enough to support a strong body and mind.
In addition, social interaction can help keep depression at bay, which has been linked to a decreased risk of cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer’s disease. This is especially true if seniors engage in social activities that stimulate their brains, such as participating in group discussions, attending educational lectures and book clubs, and engaging in other intellectually stimulating tasks. This also reduces stress, helping seniors stay mentally and emotionally healthy. Fortunately, seniors can enjoy many opportunities to socialize in senior living communities.