Preventing Social Withdrawal in Seniors in Altoona, WI
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, up to 32% of seniors over age 55 feel lonely. Community studies report rates of severe loneliness in seniors aged 65 and older between 2 and 16%. Loneliness and social withdrawal could affect your mental and physical well-being.
Before that happens, explore your Altoona, WI senior living community. Not sure where to start? Read on to start engaging with other seniors to enhance your quality of life!
Benefits of Senior Social Activities
Americans are on a downward trend in face-to-face socialization. We spend about 30% less time socializing than we did 20 years ago. Isolation can cause depression and increase the risk of chronic conditions.
Prioritizing community engagement for seniors could improve your health.Here are a few benefits you may experience while exploring senior social activities.
Combating Loneliness in Seniors
According to a study in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, & Psychiatry, lonely seniors are more likely to develop dementia than their peers. Social isolation may cause loneliness, which can contribute to mental health symptoms like:
- Depression
- Hopelessness
- Anxiety
Explore your senior living community's events and activities calendar the next time you feel lonely. You can forge new connections and gain a sense of belonging. Combating loneliness may improve your mood and outlook on life.
You'll have a support system you can depend on the next time you feel depressed or lonely. Surrounding yourself with other seniors will encourage engagement and conversation.
Engaging in social activities can enhance your mental health. It could help you:
- Maintain your cognitive abilities
- Combat stress
- Develop problem-solving skills
- Stimulate the mind
Socializing stimulates the mind, which strengthens neural pathways.This can slow cognitive decline. It may improve your working memory and verbal fluency.
Improved Physical Health
Spending time with other seniors may encourage you to make healthy lifestyle choices. For example, your friends may encourage you to join them for meals. Together, you can explore healthy, nutritious dishes through your senior living community's dining program.
You and your friends can explore exercise classes through your community's fitness program. They'll hold you accountable to exercise regularly.
Social isolation, on the other hand, can trigger feelings of stress. The stress hormone, cortisol, could increase your risk of heart disease. It may weaken your immune system, leaving you susceptible to illnesses.
Socializing may help reduce inflammation and lower your blood pressure. It could help improve your physical health and longevity.
Emotional Support for Seniors
Having a strong support system can improve your self-esteem and feelings of self-worth. Their emotional support can improve your mood and outlook on life.
Consider joining a support group if you're struggling with grief. You can talk to other seniors who understand what you're experiencing. They can provide coping skills to help you navigate your feelings.
Community Engagement for Seniors
Forging new social connections doesn't have to feel scary. Here are a few tips you can use to make and maintain new relationships after retirement.
Explore Senior Social Activities
Find opportunities to socialize through your senior living community's activities calendar.You can explore new interests and make new friends. Activities may include:
- Bingo nights
- Pet therapy
- Music lessons
- Cooking lessons
- Art classes
- Knitting, crocheting, or quilting
- Gardening clubs
- Book or film clubs
- Walking clubs
- Dance classes
Consider learning a new skill. This can help the mind form new neural pathways, which may slow cognitive decline. You can function at a higher level of mental capacity.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Your friends can help you develop new skills, which can boost your self-esteem and self-worth.
Healthy Aging Strategies
Explore healthy aging strategies through your senior living community. For example, you can discover fitness classes like:
- Strength training
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Meditation
- Walking clubs
- Water aerobics
- Swimming
According to the CDC, seniors need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly. Working out with friends can make it more enjoyable. They can hold you accountable to ensure you attend classes regularly.
Regular exercise can strengthen your body, allowing you to maintain your independence. As exercising produces serotonin, it could improve your mood. Other benefits of regular exercise include:
- Reduced risk of certain cancers
- Lower blood sugar
- Lower risk of heart disease and stroke
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Lower risk of type 2 diabetes
- Lower risk of developing depression and dementia
- Stronger bones
- Lower stress
Spending time with friends can also encourage you to eat a healthy diet. Ask friends to join you for meals. They can help you explore new cuisines and delicious dishes.
Volunteer Together
Volunteering can give you a sense of purpose. It allows you to give back to your community and forge new connections. Volunteering may also help:
- Reduce stress
- You learn new skills
- Ease feelings of anger or anxiety
- Combat depression
- Broaden your support network
- Exposes you to people with common interests
- Boost your self-confidence
- Teach you new skills
You can find volunteer opportunities through your local senior living community.
Continue Your Education
Continuing your education can:
- Enhance your memory
- Encourage socializing
- Improve your self-esteem and confidence
- Empower you to explore new situations
- Provide a sense of fulfillment and purpose
- Challenge the mind
- Improve your adaptability
Explore your local community college for classes and ask friends to join you!They can offer support. You can explore shared interests, such as:
- Technology
- Languages
- Musical instruments
- Writing
- Art
- Cooking
- Design
Join a Support Group
There are support groups available for:
- Grief
- Addiction
- Coping with aging
- Depression
- Chronic health issues
You can find support groups through your senior living community. Joining a group can help you navigate emotional challenges and unfamiliar situations.
Avoid Social Withdrawal in Altoona
Social withdrawal can be detrimental to your mental and physical well-being. Instead, explore your Altoona senior living community. You can find fun opportunities to engage with other seniors in your area.
Look no further for new friendships than Oak Gardens Place Assisted Living. We offer compassionate care in a small, homelike setting. With an individual care plan, you can experience the highest quality of assisted living services and care.
Enjoy our exclusive senior living programs, which cover wellness, socializing, and engaging activities. Contact us now to schedule your tour!