VISITING ANGELS FT WORTH, TX 817-877-1616
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Rebuilding Social Connections in the New Normal

Rebuilding Social Connections in the New Normal

The past two years have been extremely challenging particularly for older adults. Older adults were among the highest risk for complications as a result of COVID-19, which meant that many seniors chose to self-isolate in order to protect themselves. Although there were moments where COVID seemed to wane, new variants arose and kept older adults away from social opportunities.

Now that the worst of the pandemic seems to be coming to an end and vaccines are available to most of the population, it’s time that seniors consider rebuilding social

connections. Pandemic aside, seniors are at risk for social isolation simply due to the nature of growing older. Events, such as retirement, relocation, and death of a spouse, family, or friends, means that older adults have fewer opportunities to socialize. If left alone too long, seniors put themselves at risk for depression, long-term illnesses, and cognitive decline.

If you’re an older adult who has felt your social life dwindle throughout the pandemic, here are a few ways you can start to rebuild your social connections in the new normal.

Head Outdoors

If you don’t know where to start when it comes to rebuilding your social life, head outside. The great outdoors continue to be a safe place for older adults to enjoy social opportunities. Be intentional about when you choose to go outside. You’re more likely to run into a neighbor in the evening, after normal working hours. Look for other outdoor social opportunities, such as a walking club or bird watching group, where you can meet other people who share similar interests.

Say “Yes” More Often

Instead of declining social invitations, choose to view them as social opportunities and accept the invite. Join a neighborhood book club, take that jewelry making class at the local senior center, and say “yes” when your neighbor invites you over for coffee. Then, keep your commitment and don’t allow any room for doubts. Go with the attitude that this is going to be fun. If you feel out of your comfort zone, tell yourself that it’s only an hour or two out of your entire day.

Volunteer

Another way to rebuild social connections is to volunteer. Volunteering keeps seniors in regular contact with others and helps them reestablish a strong support network. If you’re new to volunteering, consider your talents and abilities and find opportunities that match your interests. Look for volunteer opportunities at your local library, public school system, local church, or within your own neighborhood. If you were an avid volunteer prior to the pandemic, it’s time to jump back in.

Sign Up for a Class

Learning not only helps prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in older adults, it also promotes social connections. The classroom is a great place for seniors to meet other peers, practice conversation, and rebuild their social support network. Look for learning opportunities at your local library or senior center. Participate in a religious study or conference offered at your place of worship. Check out classes offered through your local parks and recreation department. Choose a setting where you’ll feel comfortable so that you’ll have the confidence to engage with others.

Visiting Angels Fort Worth is here to help older adults rebuild their social connections. We provide professional home care to seniors who need assistance at home. Our home care services are an optimal fit for a variety of situations. Whether you need compassionate companionship to ward off loneliness, or require 24/7 monitoring and support with personal care routines, we can help. To schedule your free home care consultation today, please contact us by calling 817-877-1616.

Serving Fort Worth and the Surrounding Areas

Visiting Angels FT WORTH, TX
930 W 1st St # 203
Ft Worth, TX 76102
Phone: 817-877-1616
Fax: 817-334-7994

Serving Fort Worth and the Surrounding Areas

Visiting Angels FT WORTH, TX
930 W 1st St # 203
Ft Worth, TX 76102
Phone: 817-877-1616
Fax: 817-334-7994