Social isolation is a major problem among our senior population, with a quarter of American seniors being socially isolated.
When a senior is experiencing deep levels of isolation, it takes a major toll on their mental and physical health. Social isolation is shown to increase the risk of premature death from all causes in a similar way that smoking or physical inactivity does.
More specifically, senior isolation puts you at greater risk of dementia, anxiety, depression, suicide, stroke, and heart failure. On the contrary, the effect of social life on seniors’ health can be fantastic.
In today’s post, we’ll examine senior socialization and show you how a senior living community can benefit an aging loved one. Keep reading, and you’ll see how being surrounded by peers can prevent senior isolation and give seniors a higher quality of life.
Socialization and Mental Health
A good social life benefits seniors’ mental health in countless ways. It starts with lowering the risk of serious mental decline, but there are countless side benefits as well, such as improved mood and self-esteem.
Reduced Risk of Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Studies show that social participation reduces the risk of dementia by around 40%, compared to the socially isolated. Simply conversing with peers is a great way to stay sharp and prevent/delay the onset of something like Alzheimer’s.
Improved Memory and Cognition
Engaging in social activities, whether it’s a group conversation or a game, stimulates your neural network. This keeps your mind active, maintains your attention span, and improves your memory.
Being social helps seniors continue learning new skills and subjects, which is essential for critical thinking and ongoing brain function. Failing to engage your mind could lead to a sharp mental decline.
Less Anxiety and Depression
Spending time with people helps to reduce the feelings of anxiety and depression that can come with getting older. This is one of the biggest perks of living in an assisted living community that surrounds seniors with a community of their peers.
If you’re left alone most of the time, you’re more likely to engage in anxious and depressive thoughts. Around 20% of older adults deal with depression, but this is not a normal part of aging. You’re more likely to experience depression if you’re alone and develop health issues.
Better Relationships
In addition to helping you avoid mood disorders, senior socialization is important for new and existing relationships. If you have feelings of isolation, depression, and anxiety, it’ll start to negatively affect your interactions with loved ones.
The further you go into depression, the harder it is to break out of. Meeting new people will become a chore, which will sink you further into social isolation. When other elderly people surround you, you’ll have friends who can empathize with you, boosting your mood and improving your relationships.
Socialization and Physical Health
There are strong links between mental and physical health. A busy and fulfilling social life will positively impact your physical health in various ways.
Lower Stress
People who socialize are less stressed. They experience fewer feelings of anxiety associated with their lifestyle, which decreases stress and all of the physical effects of stress.
Stress can have a wide range of physical symptoms. Insomnia, headaches, chronic fatigue, appetite changes, and stomach pains are all common symptoms that can affect your quality of life.
If stress goes unchecked, it can lead to more serious conditions, like heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. An active social life allows you to live a more free and relaxed life that doesn’t put your body through stress-related tension.
More Physical Activity
Those who are more socially active are generally more physically active. Spending time with others requires you to move around. You don’t necessarily have to exercise, but going for a walk or meeting a friend somewhere gives you important physical activity.
Along with nutrition, exercise is a crucial part of aging. Being physically active lowers the risk of illness and injury. Experts recommend that seniors get 150 minutes per week of moderate activity or 75 minutes of intense activity. You should also perform muscle-building exercises at least twice per week.
Getting your exercise lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and the injuries associated with falling.
Communities for Seniors in the Community
A senior living community might be the answer if you or a loved one is experiencing social isolation. These communities consist of groups of seniors who need a bit of extra help with day-to-day living. They’re fertile ground for relationship building and increased social activity.
Communities have programming that brings residents together for regular social events. It could be something simple like bingo night or something more exciting, like a live performance.
There are frequent outings that bring residents to local parks or shopping malls. Communal dining options and social areas give residents a place to sit and chat.
A good senior living community has friendly staff who help seniors cope with feelings of social isolation, including increased senior activities or more intensive memory care. Group dining is also a great way to increase interaction and make new friends.
Every senior living community is different. It’s important to search for the right one that offers the amenities and programming to help you break out of your shell and have a more fruitful social life.
Enjoy the Effect of Social Life on Seniors’ Health
Now that you understand a bit more about the effect of social life on seniors’ health, you can seek out social experiences for yourself or a loved one. It’s not easy to be more social. If you’re in an assisted living community, however, you’re in the perfect environment to socialize in.
At Terra Bella Senior Living Community, we create better lives for our residents. Our wide range of amenities and exclusive programs make the transition to senior living a breeze. You’ll meet new friends and engage in social activities that give you or your loved ones the senior support needed to thrive.
To schedule a tour of our Roswell, GA community, contact us today.
