Younger folks seem to have vibrant social lives as seen on the ever present social media. What about the elderly population? Loneliness is a real issue that many seniors face, especially following the death of a spouse. Yet combating loneliness for seniors is not as hard as you may think!
You may be a pro at managing post-retirement life. Perhaps you have managing your finances down to a science. Nevertheless, building your social circle is extremely important to your health and happiness. It’s as important as anything else you might be doing. Chronic loneliness afflicts 28 percent of Americans over age 50. This article from AARP describes the issue. It also explains ways to go about combating loneliness for seniors.
Maintaining your social life will likely improve your emotional state. And, it can potentially add years to your life too. A study from Brigham Young University reports that those who maintained strong social connections into their later years lived an average of four years longer than those who didn’t. It is thought to have a very powerful effect on our physical health. Possibly as much as quitting smoking or losing weight would have.
So just how should seniors go about improving their social lives? Some are able to be in the company of their families. But if you live far away, you may need to get a little more creative.
Many experts recommend activities such as volunteering, art classes, or book clubs. In reality, any hobbies that interest you will often lead to engagement with others. Assisted livings also offer much needed socialization. Many have a wide variety of activities to engage residents and keep them active. Even something as simple as chatting with a neighbor at meals can be a great start. However small it may be, it will increase both your mental and physical health. The key is to find something that you truly enjoy doing with others.