Senior living communities in Myrtle Beach, SC, offer opportunities for engagement and enrichment. You can connect with other seniors through meals, activities like bingo nights, and fitness classes like tai chi.
According to the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation, about one in three adults aged 50 to 80 (34%) feel isolated from others. Feeling isolated is more common in seniors who report fair to poor mental health. Chronic loneliness can affect your mental, cognitive, and physical health, as well as your longevity.
Senior living communities in Myrtle Beach, SC, offer opportunities for engagement. Social engagement IL (independent living) can boost your mood, health, and quality of life.
At TerraBella Myrtle Beach, you can connect with other seniors through fitness classes, activities, and shared meals. What are the dangers of social isolation, and how can IL enhance community life for seniors? Read on to find out!
What Is Social Isolation?
Loneliness is the feeling of being alone or disconnected from others. Social isolation can cause loneliness, which may compromise your mental and physical health.You may experience social isolation if you lack:
- A strong support system
- Contact with friends, family, and neighbors
- Meaningful relationships
An American Psychiatric Association poll has determined that 30% of adults experience loneliness at least once a week, while 10% are lonely every day. About 53% of Americans feel the highest sense of community among friends. You can combat feelings of loneliness by engaging with members of your Myrtle Beach retirement community.
Why Is Community Life for Seniors Important?
According to the National Institute on Aging, social isolation and loneliness are linked to a variety of mental and physical health issues, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Cognitive decline
- Alzheimer’s disease
- High blood pressure
- A weakened immune system
- Early death
Engaging in meaningful activities with other seniors, on the other hand, may improve your sense of purpose. Socializing could boost your mood, enhance your sense of belonging, and help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. This may extend your longevity while improving your quality of life during retirement.
Socializing while living in TerraBella Myrtle Beach may improve your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. You can meet other seniors, forge strong friendships, and gain a sense of belonging within your community.
Social Engagement IL
You can find opportunities for social engagement through your independent living community. Here are a few ways TerraBella Myrtle Beach helps seniors forge meaningful relationships.
Fitness
Explore your senior living community’s fitness program to find fun exercise classes. They may offer a mix of aerobic, flexibility/balance, and strength training activities. Exercise classes may include:
- Tai chi
- Pilates
- Yoga
- Weight lifting
- Resistance band training
- Body weight exercises
- Swimming
- Water aerobics
- Hiking
- Walking
- Chair yoga
- Aerobic activity or HIIT classes
Participating in these exercise classes can help you make new friends.Your friends can motivate you, enabling you to make healthier lifestyle decisions.
Benefits of exercising with friends can include:
- Accountability/sticking to a schedule
- Reduced social isolation and loneliness
- Increased safety
- Motivation
- Learn new techniques and exercises
- Safety
Support Groups
Consider joining a local support group through your senior living community. There are groups for people navigating:
- Grief
- Chronic illness
- Changes brought on by retirement
- Addiction
Joining a support group can help you develop healthy coping mechanisms.You can learn from the experiences of other seniors who understand the feelings you’re navigating.
Volunteering
Volunteering can give you a sense of purpose and belonging within your community. Other benefits of volunteering include:
- Prevents social isolation and loneliness
- Keeps the brain active
- Develops new skills
- Engages you in old interests
- Helps you meet new friends
- Increases physical activity
- Reduces depression risk
- Bridges the generation gap
- Motivates you to set and accomplish goals
Dining
Explore your senior living community’s dining program to discover new, delicious dishes. Ask friends to join you for meals. Eating together may help:
- Decrease feelings of loneliness
- Reduce your risk of depression
- Improve your self-esteem
- Encourage healthy eating habits
- Improve communication skills
- Boost your mental and physical health
- Foster connection
Events and Activities
Check your senior living community’s events and activities calendar to discover new hobbies. You can meet seniors who share your interests and passions, including:
- Painting and drawing
- Sculpting
- Mahjong
- Cooking and baking classes
- Knitting, quilting, sewing, and crocheting
- Bingo
- Card games
- Movie and book club
- Birdwatching
- Gardening club
- Music lessons
- Music and art therapy
- Pet therapy
These activities can add a sense of enjoyment to your life. Engage in a range of activities to meet a variety of people within your community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Risk Factors for Social Isolation?
Group risk factors for social isolation and loneliness include:
- Low-income adults
- People who identify as queer
- Adults who live alone
- Young adults
- Older adults
- Immigrants
Seniors face a higher risk of social isolation and loneliness. Lifestyle factors that may increase your risk include:
- Struggling with the loss of a loved one and the resulting grief
- Retirement or unemployment
- Having a depressive or psychiatric condition
- Retirement or unemployment
- Being marginalized or discriminated against
- Facing a divorce
- Living in a rural or hard-to-reach area
- Having limited access to transportation
- Facing a long-term disability, chronic condition, or disease
Consider moving into a Myrtle Beach senior living community if you’re facing these risk factors. Building and maintaining friendships may help reduce your risk.
How Often Should Seniors Socialize?
Try to socialize with other seniors within your TerraBella Myrtle Beach community at least once a day. According to this research, frequent socializing is linked with a significantly higher survival rate. Engaging with other seniors may help delay your time to death by 87%.
Discover Senior Living Communities in Myrtle Beach, SC
Senior living communities in Myrtle Beach, SC, help seniors forge new connections. Connecting with other seniors can reduce your risk of social isolation and loneliness. You can meet other seniors through your local Myrtle Beach retirement community.
TerraBella Myrtle Beach is a proud Caring.com Caring Star Award Winner. We offer exclusive lifestyle programs, including delicious meals through Sensations Dining, Celebrations Activities & Events like live music performances, and Dimensions Health & Fitness classes like tai chi. Contact us now to schedule your tour.
