14
A
s you get older and retire or
move to a new community,
you may not have quite as many
opportunities to socialize as you
did when you were younger.
If you’re not heading to an office
or getting out and about each
day, you may be missing out
on important social interaction
that you need to stay sharp,
healthy, and maybe even ward off
dementia. Research has shown
that social interaction offers older
adults many benefits. Staying
socially active and maintaining
interpersonal relationships can help
you maintain good physical and
emotional health and cognitive
function.
People who continue to maintain
close friendships and find other
ways to interact socially live
longer than those who become
isolated. Relationships and social
interactions even help protect
against illness by boosting your
immune system.
The benefits of being social
Specific health benefits of social
interaction, especially in older
adults include:-
• Potentially reduced risk for
cardiovascular problems,
some cancers, osteoporosis, and
rheumatoid arthritis
• Potentially reduced risk for
Alzheimer’s disease
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduced risk for mental health
issues such as depression
The Importance
of
Social
Interaction
Conversely, social isolation
carries real risks. Some of these
risks are:
• Feeling lonely and depressed
• Being less physically active
• Having a greater risk of death
• Having high blood pressure
Social interaction helps keep
your brain from getting rusty, but
it’s most effective when coupled
with an overall healthy lifestyle,
including a nutritious diet and
physical activity.
Keeping your connections
strong
Start by staying in touch with
friends and family, and try to visit
with them regularly. Here are other
ways you can maintain a high level
of social interaction:
• Volunteer in your community.
• Visit a senior centre and
participate in offered activities
with other seniors—this is a
great way to make new friends.
• Join a group focused on
activities you enjoy, such as
playing cards or a book
club.
• Try taking a class—learn a new
language or a new style of
cooking or experiment with a
new hobby.
• Join a gym or fitness centre to
stay physically fit and engage
with others.
Find ways to stay young at heart,
stimulated,busy—and out of the
house. Schedule regular visits with
grandkids or volunteer at a school
or children’s organization to enjoy
time with little ones and absorb
some of their youthful energy.
Although staying in touch in person
is important, phone calls, snail
mail, and e-mail can keep you
connected, too—if you’re not yet
comfortable with computers, ask a
young relative to help you.
Staying socially active and
maintaining your relationships
are an important part of healthy
aging. Reach out to your loved
ones—neighbours, friends, family
members—and stay as vibrant,
active, and social as you’ve always
been.
Excerpted from the Health Encyclopaedia,
University of Rochester Medical Centre
Submitted by: Irmine G. Mckenzie
Secretary, South Zonal Group
“Potentially reduced
risk for
cardiovascular
problems, some cancers,
osteoporosis, and
rheumatoid arthritis”
