When you’re a senior, socialization isn’t just an excellent option. It’s essential for your mental health and may even offer notable physical health benefits. In addition, more than 13 million older adults live alone, and these people have significant socialization opportunities. When you focus on seniors meeting people and remaining socially active, the likelihood of developing dementia, obesity, high blood pressure, and other health risks decreases.
It may seem more challenging to get out and socialize as an older adult, but opportunities abound. First, you need to know where to look. Here are five ways older adults can meet new people and make friends.
1. Join an Exercise Class
There are exercise classes that cater to the needs of older adults. These classes can be a lot of fun and exercise your mind and social skills while exercising your body. Remember that you don’t need to be in top-notch physical condition to enjoy the benefits of a good exercise class. You can customize the different exercises to your unique fitness abilities to ensure you get the physical, emotional, and social benefits without injuring yourself.
2. Attend Game Nights
Game nights are a great way to meet people because they are highly interactive. Seniors meeting people at game nights often share a lot of fun and laughter with the people in their game groups. Whether you like Bingo or Bunko, you should be able to find some organized game night near you. If not, consider organizing your own!
3. Join a Faith-Based Community
Faith-based communities often enjoy a very tight bond with one another. These communities typically gather frequently to pray, converse, and perform service for those in need. The opportunities and relationships enjoyed in such communities can instill a sense of purpose and belonging in senior adults.
4. Seek Out Like-Minded People
It’s easier to socialize with like-minded people than it is to socialize with people who have entirely different opinions. While you will probably never find someone else who agrees with every idea you hold, it is possible to find like-minded people who agree on the things that matter most. If possible, seek out like-minded people to whom you feel comfortable and safe talking.
5. Choose a Socially Supportive Senior Living Community
Some senior living communities and organizations stress frequent social interactions and activities. Elder Care Alliance is one such organization. In addition, each community offers Life Enrichment programming, which is programming that helps engage the spirit, mind, and body of residents. Social interaction is one of the eight wellness domains the Life Enrichment program stresses.
Learn More About Elder Care Alliance
It’s natural to want your loved one to live in a community where seniors meeting people is the norm. Elder Care Alliance communities offer many different opportunities for social interaction. In addition to frequent activities and outings, residents also benefit from creative therapy that spans various domains. Creative art therapists use music, dance, drama, and art therapy to help enrich the lives of community members and help them enjoy rich socialization with others.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/staying-social-as-a-senior
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6304477/
https://www.televeda.com/posts/older-adults-meet-new-people-make-friends
