The Health Benefits of Social Connections in Senior Living

What’s fun, good for your health, and can make each day more enjoyable if you are 55 or above? Having a strong social life. Connecting with others in a positive way is proven to protect and even enhance the health and wellness of seniors.

Even if you are more of an introvert, having opportunities to be around others on a regular basis is beneficial. And it’s true worldwide. Study the five regions in the world known as the Blue Zones where people— “super agers”—seem to have mastered the secrets to successful aging, and you will find one of the lifestyle characteristics they share is spending time each day with a close circle of friends.

It’s true: birds of a feather really do flock together! And in this case, it can mean big benefits in terms of health and longevity.

How does staying social benefit the health and wellness of seniors?

According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, people who have strong social connections have a lower risk of:

• heart disease
• stroke
• dementia
• depression
• obesity

In addition, those who make socializing a priority are better able to cope with stress and the challenges of daily life. They feel better about themselves and are more physically active. Being around others and sharing experiences also can give you a strong sense of purpose, as well as the feeling of belonging, both of which are important for the health and wellness of seniors.

For example, several studies have observed that a higher sense of purpose is associated with:

• more physical activity
• healthier sleep
• higher consumption of fruits and vegetables
• increased use of preventive healthcare services
• enhanced sleep quality
• possibly less smoking
• increased longevity

Finding ways to remain socially active as the years go by.

It’s just the truth: feeling lonely or left out is plain bad for you, increasing your risk for a variety of chronic disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, depression and more. Loneliness and isolation have even been called an epidemic by the US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who released a Surgeon General Advisory focusing attention on this public health crisis.

But it’s never too late to experience the health benefits of socialization. Meeting new people, expanding your list of friends to include new faces, and spending time with interesting people gives you confidence and can help improve your self-esteem. You feel a part of something bigger. And you often learn things about yourself from others which also enhances your sense of self. When it comes to enhancing the health and wellness of seniors, there’s nothing else that comes close.

And while it might seem harder to maintain social contacts as you age, or even make new ones, there are ways to get out and form your own “blue zone.”

For example:

• Volunteer
• Learn a new hobby
• Join an exercise class
• Adopt a pet
• Have the family over more often
• Work part-time
• Travel

Social opportunities are one of the biggest draws of senior living.

From educational and enrichment programs to organized activities and outings to enjoy, senior living can make it easy for new neighbors to become fast friends. Plus, with numerous indoor and outdoor common areas, there’s plenty of space to host friends and family.

And activities abound in senior living communities, so it’s easy and enjoyable to socialize. For example, Carriage Crossing provides access to a wealth of life-enriching programs, community events, fitness classes and more—all to enhance your social, physical and emotional wellness. Our experienced team gets to know each resident’s history and personality so we can tailor activities to suit their individual preferences and abilities.

When it comes to the health and wellness of seniors, we make personal contact and socializing an everyday focus, building a close-knit senior community you’ll be proud to call home.

Caring people serving residents to enhance their quality of life. Contact us to learn more.