Aging family members often feel left out and lonely when they stop going to the same places they used to go or have to stop going to work or school or lose their spouse. A healthy social life can do wonders for aging adults’ mental health, but finding fun and safe activities can be difficult. To stay connected with the world around them and keep themselves from feeling lonely, Aging adults should consider taking advantage of programs designed specifically with seniors in mind. Healthy social life programs allow family members to stay active while also being age-appropriate and tailored to the specific needs of older adults.
Nurture Your Social Network
After retirement, much of your time will be spent with other people, so it’s essential to maintain a social network. Even if you don’t have many friends or family members who live near you, the chances are good that there is a senior community not too far away from where you currently live. Hence, in the event of your partner’s passing or some other unforeseen circumstance disrupting your routine, you will not be entirely alone.
Play Games that Stimulate the Brain
Games that stimulate the brain help keep your mind sharp, reduce stress and fatigue and improve memory. An excellent way to start playing mind games is with word search puzzles, which exercise your brain and provide an opportunity to learn new words. Another superb game for aging adults is Bejeweled 2. It’s a puzzle game in which you match brightly colored gems to earn points. Like crossword puzzles, it is always fun and satisfying to see all of your pieces click into place in one fell swoop (not unlike solving a challenging problem).
Join a Club or Group Activity
There are so many benefits to becoming a member of a community club or association, and it’s one of those things that you won’t want to stop once you start. There are clubs for all interests: sports, arts and culture, religious and social groups—you name it. Joining any group provides an opportunity to meet new people who share your same interests and expand on those passions. Join a specific interest group that’s already begun developing events such as conferences or meetings. You’ll be able to show up as part of an established community rather than as an outsider without any friends. As a result, it will be easier for you to introduce yourself to other members since they may already know each other but not necessarily you.
Volunteer In Your Community
Getting involved in your community is a great way to have fun, stay active, and meet new people. Involvement in the community can improve your mood, give you a sense of purpose, and improve your health as well. One study found that older adults who volunteered reported fewer symptoms of depression than those who didn’t volunteer. Not only is it good for your emotional health, but studies have shown that volunteers are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. As social creatures, humans need interaction with other people regularly to stay happy and healthy. Volunteering is one easy way Golden-age adults can maintain their social life as they age.
Offer Family Assistance
Now that your children are growing up and have their families, they might assist you with home repairs, yard work, or perhaps a helping hand around your house. You don’t have to feel alone in being elderly. If anything, it means you have more time to spend on your hobbies, travel, or other pursuits. But if there are things around the house require attention, consider offering family help so you don’t have to hire someone else out. It can be less expensive for all involved and allow you to get closer with relatives and create bonds of love and friendship among siblings who haven’t spent much time together lately due to busy schedules and social engagements.
