Health Benefits of Social Connection for Older Adults

Connecting with other people is a natural—and critical—part of life. We mingled with friends in grade school and had dinners with coworkers throughout our careers, so, as you might expect, it's important to remain social as an adult. There are many different emotional, mental, and physical health benefits of social connection, which is why at Silvertree we always prioritize social engagement!

If you're looking for fun and easy ways to stay social as an older adult, there are plenty of exciting things that you can do. When you implement a few new activities into your routine, you'll find yourself meeting new people and reconnecting with those you care about, which will support you living a healthier, happier life. Socializing allows you to enjoy life and live longer, so we want to suggest some helpful tips that will make it easier for you to engage in more social connections!

Tip #1: Volunteer

Volunteering is a meaningful way to get more interaction into your daily routine while also giving back to the community and learning new things.

According to a report conducted by AARP, two-thirds of volunteers who engaged in a community service program for older adults, Senior Corps, reported feeling less lonely and isolated. The benefits of volunteering extend well beyond the impact of your effort – it can be as personally enriching as it is helpful to others!

In addition to the mental health benefits, the same study shows that volunteering is good for older adults' physical health as well. AARP reports that 84% of Senior Corps volunteers experienced improved or stable physical health after volunteering with the program for two years. This statistic aligns with other research that explains how volunteer work reduces high blood pressure and contributes to psychological well-being for older adults.

Now that you have been introduced to some of the ways that volunteering can benefit older adults, we encourage you to look into some of these volunteer organizations:

• Senior Corps with AmeriCorps
• Habitat for Humanity
• Meals on Wheels
• National Park Service
• Feeding America
• Humane Society

Also, remember that you have the option to volunteer virtually at many of these organizations. So, if you have a health condition that makes travel difficult or you live in a rural area, it is still possible for you to get involved with your community via virtual volunteering!

Tip #2: Make a List of What You Find Fun

Let's say that you already volunteer, or maybe you're going to start volunteering, but you still want to find other ways to socialize. If this is the case for you, then make a list of all the things that you find fun. Then, find groups in the community that cater to your interests. If you can't find one that is already established, make your own!

The options are endless when you're writing up your list, but let's talk about some different things you might be interested in if you're unsure where to begin:

• Astronomy: For older adults who love astronomy and the solar system, try joining a stargazing group. With your group, you can visit local planetariums or simply look at the stars from a park.
• Animals: Dog lovers can start a group that gets together to walk their pups each afternoon. And people who love exotic animals can start a group that visits zoos and animal sanctuaries in your state.
• Art: Creative older adults might want to join an art club. In your art club, you might visit art museums or make your own art—you can try out things like painting, pottery, knitting, and more.
• Fishing: Fishing is a tranquil pastime, so if you're someone who loves the outdoors and the sport of fishing, get together with like-minded older adults and catch fish together.
• Biking: People who bike can get together and ride to a certain location, like a coffee shop. You can socialize there and then continue on your ride.
• Reading: Book clubs are a great way to make new friends and get into some great books. Each week, you can read a new book and meet with your book club to discuss it.
• Baking: If you start a baking group, you can meet at someone's house each week and create a new tasty dessert. You can try to put all your skills together to make complicated desserts, like macarons or four-layer cakes.

Using websites like Facebook events, eventbrite.com, or even checking our local newspaper are helpful ways to find new groups to join.

Tip #3: Talk with Your Family and Friends

If you find yourself feeling a bit lonely, don't hesitate to reach out to people in your circle of friends and family. You might be surprised that other people you care about are feeling lonely, too. It may be a bit anxiety-inducing at first to tell your loved ones that you're in need of more contact with friends and family, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some things you can say to bring up the conversation:

• "I am by myself too much these days."
• "I wish I had someone to walk around the neighborhood with."
• "I am going to see a show this weekend, would you want to come with me?"
• "Since I don't work anymore, I feel like I need more social time."
• "I have been feeling lonely lately and want to try to get involved with more activities in town."

If you say something along these lines, you'll be starting a productive conversation, which could lead to new conversations with your loved ones and new avenues for connection. More often than not, you aren't the only one feeling this isolation.

Stay Connected and Healthy with the Help of Silvertree

Silvertree wants to empower you to live your life confident and connected. Whether you are on-the-go enjoying your favorite activities, volunteering, or happy at home talking with loved ones, the Silvertree Reach gives you the support you need to stay active, connected, and safe. You can even send a smile to loved ones, letting them know you are thinking of them with Silvertree's Virtual Hug feature!