By Ewa Frydel, Owner

The older we get, the more prone we are to isolation and disconnection from family and friends.

For seniors, this can be because many friends and family members have passed, or they are too tired or too fearful to leave the house.

When we age, our lives become busy and we lose connection. We take different paths in life, getting together once in a while.

However, we are social beings, and staying connected increases the chances of longevity, especially for our seniors. Socializing helps maintain mental and emotional health.

Let’s look into the benefits of socializing for seniors and explore options to get your senior more engaged with others.

The Benefits of Socializing for Seniors

1. Mental Health. When we socialize with others, we get our minds off of ourselves. This clears congested space within our minds. If your senior has been isolated for a while, their minds may be filled with negative thoughts, bringing on feelings of loneliness.

   Get your senior to socialize and they will focus on their friend or family member. This will help reduce depression, anxiety, and those feelings of loneliness. Keep your senior visiting regularly to help keep good mental health.

2. Cognitive Function. Socializing keeps our brains activated and stimulated because we’re listening to others speak. We’re thinking of their discussion with images in our minds.

   Your senior needs to have this type of stimulation. It will greatly reduce cognitive decline, and memory loss and boost problem-solving skills.

3. Physical Health. When your senior is social they get up and move a little more. Socializing for seniors is a great way to involve them with activities outside of the home.

   If you have kids around, that alone can help move your senior off the couch. They may find they enjoy playing with your children. Get them to dance at community events or move around in the kitchen, cooking meals with you for the whole family.

4. Sense of Purpose. Seniors who have people to see or places to be, tend to have a sense of purpose. They notice that they are valued and appreciated and cannot let anybody down.

   If they were to isolate themselves, they’d wonder why they were even around, but having others means they need to be here because they matter.

Tips to Keep Your Senior Connected

1. Volunteer. Volunteering is usually something we think of for our youth or early adulthood, but many retirees love to volunteer. Even if your senior is higher in age, they can still be a part of something big.

   See what events are happening around town that they’d be interested in. Maybe your senior loves to be a part of charities or annual holiday events. This is beneficial for mental health, emotional health, and physical health.

2. Join a Club. If your senior wants a more long-term opportunity to help others out, they can join a club. Clubs meet regularly and discuss recurring events and issues. This will give your senior a chance to be a part of a big change within their community.

3. Go to Events. Think of festivals and events happening around you. Are there concerts your mom or dad might like to join? Is there a food-tasting festival outside of town? Any holiday events happening in other cities? When you sign yourself up for an event, sign your aging parent up, too.

4. Go Online. There are many seniors who enjoy Instagram and Facebook, even Twitter. YouTube is a fantastic social media platform for seniors. They can record and publish their own videos, connecting with like-minds all over the world. Or they can watch and comment on other’s videos.

   Today, social media does stimulate our brains into thinking we are socializing. While it’s fun to use once in a while, don’t let your senior rely solely on social media to socialize, but don’t rule it out altogether, either.

Socializing is important for all of us, not just our seniors.

Keep your senior connected with others in any way you can. You’ll be grateful that you supported their mental, emotional, and physical health. You will encourage a sense of purpose in them and even help them make a great change with a cause they’re volunteering for. You may even learn from your senior and socialize more, too.

For more tips on getting your senior to stay connected, contact us.

We’re here to help!

Legal Disclaimer
This blog provides general information and discussions about keeping the elderly engaged with friendships and should not be construed as medical advice.