Long Term Care Experts Explain How Socialization Helps Seniors Live Longer
Many people around the world crave a rich social life filled with supportive friends and family. But for seniors, having a social life can actually mean the difference between having a healthy life and being plagued with problems. According to the National Institutes on Aging, social isolation constitutes a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality, especially in older adults. Because of this, long term care experts emphasize the importance of making sure seniors have proper social interaction as they get older. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you or a loved one is getting older and wants to make sure that they’re getting enough socialization.
Mental health is closely linked to your social life
Plain and simple, the better your social life is, the better your mental health is. That’s because loneliness and isolation are two huge contributing factors to depression.
A rich social life will keep you sharp
Seniors often look for brain exercises to keep a sharp mind as they get older, and socialization is a great way to do this. By talking with friends and sharing stories, the brain gets stimulated and has less of a chance of declining in health.
Try fun activities if a senior is reluctant to socialize
Not everyone is comfortable being a social butterfly, and that’s okay. If you or a loved one is looking to increase socialization but you’re not quite sure which activity to choose, here are a couple of ideas
- Golfing
- Playing cards with friends
- Joining a book club
- Sewing with a group
- Gardening
Some of the limitations you may face
While socialization is great in theory, you should be aware of some of the limitations you or a loved one might face later in life. Physical ailments, loss of a spouse and mental decline can all contribute to someone having a much harder time socializing than a healthy person might.