Social Interaction Isn't Optional-It's Part of Daily Life Here
For seniors, social interaction is essential for their health and longevity. It can boost their mood, improve their physical health, and keep their minds sharp.
According to a poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association, 30% of American adults have felt lonely at least once a week in the past year. Another 10% feel lonely daily. Participants said they felt the highest sense of belonging and community among family (65%) and friends (53%).
You can forge new senior friendships in your Bonita Springs retirement community. Social interaction with other seniors can benefit your health and quality of life.
What happens if you avoid meaningful engagement, and what social opportunities are available for seniors? Read on to find out!
How Common Is a Lack of Social Interaction?
About 25% of American adults report not having emotional or social support. This may cause social isolation or loneliness.Other contributors include:
- Living in a rural area
- Having limited access to transportation
- Language barriers
- Facing a depressive or psychiatric condition
- Being marginalized or discriminated against
- Having a long-term disability
Older adults are at greater risk of social isolation.If these lifestyle factors sound familiar, reach out to your community. Socializing can help you avoid social isolation and related health issues.
What Are the Benefits of Senior Friendships?
Social isolation and loneliness can increase your risk of:
- Dementia and Alzheimer's
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- A weakened immune system
- Obesity
- Depression and anxiety
- Heart disease and stroke
- Early death
Maintaining senior friendships may help improve your health. Here are a few benefits of social interaction for seniors.
Mental
Loneliness may increase your risk of Alzheimer's disease by 14%, according to a study inNature Mental Health. Social engagement, on the other hand, may protect you from cognitive decline.
Talking with other seniors can help you discover new concepts and ideas. This may help new neural pathways form, aiding neuroplasticity. Improving your neuroplasticity may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Look for brain games through your senior living community's activities program, such as:
- Trivia nights
- Puzzles
- Book and movie clubs
- Educational classes
- Continuing education classes
- Discussion groups
Physical
Regular exercise can positively impact your emotional, mental, and physical well-being by:
- Easing osteoarthritis pain
- Helping prevent chronic illness (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, colon cancer)
- Strengthening your immune system
- Preventing bone loss
- Increasing relaxation
- Improving your mood
- Easing anxiety and depression symptoms
- Offering anti-inflammatory effects
You can discover fun exercise classes through your senior living community's fitness program. Exercising with friends can:
- Make it more fun
- Strengthen friendships
- Help you stick to the commitment
- Help you accomplish goals
- Encourage you to work harder
- Discover new exercise classes
- Keep you safe
Emotional
According to the National Institutes of Health, one in seven people reported feeling depressed. Study participants with such support were less likely to feel depressed than those without support.
Social support may help reduce your risk of depression. Otherwise, you may experience:
- A sense of hopelessness
- Persistent sadness
- Fatigue and low energy
- Slow speech or movement
- Persistent digestive problems
- Irritability
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Difficult concentrating
- Cognitive changes
- Aches and pains
- Insomnia or oversleeping
- A loss of interest in activities
Consult a mental health professional if these symptoms persist beyond two weeks. Otherwise, they may begin affecting your quality of life and longevity.
In the meantime, surround yourself with friends. Moving into an active senior community may help reduce your risk of depression.
Moving into an active independent living community may also ease feelings of stress and anxiety. You can enjoy feeling your best without the stress of home maintenance or other tasks.
Daily Social Opportunities
You can find opportunities for meaningful engagement through your Bonita Springs retirement community. Check their events and activities calendar for:
- Arts and crafts
- Trivia nights
- Book club
- Movie club
- Knitting or quilting circles
- Exercise classes
- Pet therapy
- Art therapy
- Dancing lessons
- Music lessons
- Gardening club
Challenge yourself by exploring a new hobby.Trying something new can form neural pathways, benefiting your cognitive health.
Their fitness program may offer a range of exercise classes. Challenge yourself by joining a variety of classes, such as:
- Tai chi
- Weight lifting
- Resistance band training
- Swimming
- Water aerobics
- Yoga or chair yoga
- Walking or hiking
Otherwise, ask friends to join you for meals through your community's dining program. Eating healthy, nutritious meals can benefit your mind and body.
Enjoying meals with friends creates opportunities to socialize. It can also help you make healthier eating decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is At Risk of Social Isolation?
Seniors who have recently lost a loved one are at risk of social isolation. Struggling with a health condition or living alone can also increase your risk.
Reach out if you:
- Feel sad or hopeless for over two weeks
- Avoid social events
- Neglecting your health or hygiene
- Stop eating
- Stop taking medications
- Aren't exercising
- Experience memory loss or confusion
Explore your Bonita Springs, FL senior living community. You can avoid social isolation by engaging in fun activities with other seniors.
How Often Should Seniors Socialize?
Seniors should try to socialize daily. Regular socializing is linked to reduced risks of early death.It may help extend your longevity.
According to one study, people who socialized daily lived longer than those who didn't. Socializing may help reduce your risk of chronic disease while encouraging healthy habits. This could help delay early death.
For daily social opportunities, try:
- Attending events at your local library
- Volunteering
- Scheduling calls with friends or family members
- Scheduling meals with friends or family
- Joining hobby clubs that meet regularly
- Joining an exercise class
- Checking your senior community's events calendar
Enjoy an Active Senior Community in Bonita Springs
Social interaction can benefit your mind, body, and emotional health. You can make new senior friendships and enjoy meaningful engagement through your local senior living community.
Look no further than Diamond Oaks Village in Bonita Springs, FL. We offer active senior living where you can enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle.
Discover our state-of-the-art health and fitness center, unique lifestyle activities, chef-prepared meals, and more. Our dynamic programs are tailored to promote well-being and vitality. Contact us now to schedule your tour.