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Socialization, Happiness and Senior Health

It is not uncommon for people to find themselves more and more isolated as they age. Loved ones may have passed and mobility may be hampered. And with isolation, depression may ensue.

However, we humans are inherently social beings. And while we may think of making friends and socializing as things that we do in our younger years, these are equally – if not more – important as we age. 

Health Benefits of Socialization for the Elderly

Regular social activity participation holds numerous health benefits for older adults – from facilitating the immune system’s function to lowering stress hormone levels. 

A study by Statistics Canada found that social engagement was positively correlated with self-perceived health, and negatively correlated with loneliness and life dissatisfaction. What does this mean? Essentially, seniors who are more socially active feel healthier and are happier. 

An active social life can also help stave off memory loss. A study from the Harvard School of Public Health found that isolation is a strong risk factor for cognitive impairment, and strong social integration with friends, family and the community can significantly slow the rate of decline. 

Both studies underscored the need for high quality social interaction however. Active participation and engagement is crucial – it is not simply enough to have a support network of family and friends. 

Encouraging Your Elderly Loved Ones to Socialize

Among those 65 years and older, two to three hours of social time per day can dramatically increase happiness levels (by 30% – 50%) according to a Gallup poll. Therefore, getting your loved one to socialize for even a few hours a day can have a tremendous impact.

Don’t forget, as mentioned above, that quality matters in addition to quantity. Work with your loved one to discover activities or social situations where they would feel comfortable and be more likely to be highly engaged. 

If they live alone – you could suggest joining a community bingo or bridge group, for example. Or, you could arrange visits to a senior center a few days a week. In these cases, there may be a logistical component that you’ll need to figure out as well (e.g. transportation, meal or snack provisions).

In your loved one lives in some sort of long-term care facility (nursing home, assisted living or independent living), chances are there is a regular activities calendar in place. In this case, you may just need to focus on helping your loved one figure out which activities would be of interest to them. 

Often, all it takes is a little encouragement to get loved ones to be more socially active. Some research has found that even relatively simple prompts can increase social activity participation by seniors. With a little bit of time and effort on your part, you can help your older loved ones significantly improve their quality of life through better social engagement.

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