Mental Health Benefits of Socializing for Seniors

Nearly three in ten Canadian seniors, aged 65 and older, live alone, according to Statistics Canada. There’s nothing wrong with seniors maintaining their independence, but it’s important to recognize the benefits of socializing for seniors and the hazards of neglecting the social dimension of wellness of senior life. This blog will highlight the benefits of socialization in seniors, with some ideas on how to avoid the dangers of isolation – even during a global pandemic!

Why is Socialization for Seniors so Important?

People are innately social. This may seem obvious, but a growing amount of research confirms the importance of the social dimension of wellness. According to Dr. Craig Sawchuk, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic psychologist, “We are social animals by nature, so we tend to function better when we’re in a community setting and being around others.” Unfortunately, seniors are more likely to isolate or experience loneliness than the rest of the population. A large number of seniors often experience loneliness.

Furthermore, as the age of seniors increases, so does the risk of experiencing isolation. To prevent the negative effects of loneliness and isolation in seniors, it’s especially important for seniors (and members of their care team) to be proactive about staying engaged each and every day.

The Health Hazards of Senior Isolation

Among everyone, isolation affects nearly every aspect of a person’s life. Particularly in seniors, isolation often leads to physical deterioration which increases the risks of falls and other health-related concerns such as:

• Hypertension

• Coronaryartery disease

• Cardiac failure

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Alzheimer’s (and other forms of dementia)

Risk factors of social isolation for seniors

Factors that increase the risk of isolation in seniors include:

• Being over the age of 80

• Chronic health conditions

• Limited contact with friends and family

• Lack of resources

• Lack of use of technology

It’s important to understand the potential health risks for seniors who are susceptible to social isolation. Social isolation has been shown to significantly increased a person’s risk of premature death from all causes. These risks may surpass those of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.

The Mental Health Benefits of Socialization in Seniors

Mental health has received increasing attention in the past few years, especially as it relates to health overall. Seniors represent a particularly vulnerable population when it comes to mental health concerns. Depression has an especially serious impact on seniors and has been shown to worsen disability, increase the severity of chronic illness, raise mortality rates, and cause suffering for seniors and their families.

Fortunately, socialization has been shown to be one of the most effective ways for seniors to improve their mental health, including depression. Socialization in among seniors significantly improves mood, cognition and memory, and increases in physical activity.

How to Promote Socialization in Seniors

As people get older, there is a natural tendency to become less physically active. Over time, seniors can grow increasingly sedentary. For many seniors, it’s easier to watch TV alone than to go out with friends or enroll in an exercise program. Older adults need to be proactive about their activity levels, or their health will deteriorate. Here are some ideas and opportunities to increase socialization and therefore improve mental health in seniors:

• Exercise classes and walking groups

• Happy hours and group outings

• Regular phone calls and video conferences with friends and family

• Bingo

• Card games

• Billiards, darts and other parlor games

• Swimming and aquafit classes

Find a Socially-Active Community Near You

For millions of older adults living alone, living a socially active life can be an uphill battle. Additionally, location can be a huge obstacle to forming meaningful connections and staying active. More seniors are choosing to live in retirement communities for the social programming, opportunities for exercise, and the supportive community feeling they can’t get with in-home care.

Seniors can get the following benefits from retirement communities:

• Reduced isolation

• Emotional support with a difficult situation

• Actionable advice from experts and experienced peers

• Promotes meaningful connections and relationships

• Encourages healthy coping skills and behaviors

• Easy access to exercise programs

• Daily social activities

For some seniors, community living is a huge contributor to their social support network, providing opportunity for interaction, camaraderie, and scheduled activities that they wouldn’t have living at home. Social programming can help you fight feelings of isolation and loneliness. Connect with Community Relations Manager at V!VA Retirement Community in Thornhill Woods to find out more about the social programs that are just a few clicks away.

Written by Dr. Jill Franks, PhD

Lifestyles Department at V!VA Thornhill Woods