For many older adults, being healthy includes eating right, exercising, and visiting the doctor regularly. There’s another aspect of health that often gets overlooked, and that is social wellness. Here’s what you need to know about social wellness and how it impacts the quality of life for seniors.
What Is Social Wellness?
Social wellness centers on relationships and community. To experience happiness and a positive sense of well-being, seniors need to have good relationships with family and friends and feel connected to their community.
Rather than imagining the human experience as a pyramid of needs that moves from basic necessities such as clean water to higher functions such as self-actualization, many psychologists and doctors prefer to frame health as having seven dimensions. These are:
- Mental
- Physical
- Social
- Environmental
- Financial
- Spiritual
- Vocational
Social wellness is one of the pillars of a healthy life. Having a support system of friends, family, and community members is crucial, especially in times of stress or crisis.
What Are the Benefits of Social Wellness?
Not only do relationships make life more meaningful, but they also provide health benefits for older adults. Seniors who maintain a strong network of friends and family members manage stress better and have better cognitive functioning. Research suggests that good social wellness can also help seniors:
- Live longer
- Improve cardiovascular health
- Avoid depression and anxiety
- Recover from illness
- Stay active
Loneliness and isolation are hard on everyone, but older adults who lack social interaction can experience a severe decline in mental and physical health. Social wellness is a crucial aspect of living a whole and healthy life.
How Can Seniors Improve Social Wellness?
If you or a loved one are looking for ways to develop relationships and improve your social wellness, there are many things you can do. Keeping in touch with family and friends is one of the easiest ways. Schedule regular phone calls or video chats with people close to you.
Some other ways to meet people are:
- Volunteer for an event or at a community center
- Take a class to learn a new skill, such as cooking or dancing
- Pick up a new hobby and join a group with that interest
- Adopt a dog and go on regular walks in your neighborhood
- Move closer to loved ones or join a senior living community
It’s important to check in with the people you love, especially if you or your loved one live alone. Mutual support can go a long way in ensuring better health outcomes for seniors.
What Are Active Senior Living Apartments?
While many older adults live independently in their homes, senior living apartments offer an alternative for people looking to join a community of other active individuals and couples. These apartments provide comfort, style, and amenities that help older adults build genuine friendships and stay active. If you or a loved one are interested in exploring a new living arrangement, schedule a visit to one of our senior living communities. Community makes a difference, and we can’t wait to show you how.
