Many retirees want to live independently as they age, but there can be a downside to this approach. Doing everything all by yourself can be very isolating. Is there a way that you can maintain your sense of independence without being lonely?
The Benefits of Socializing
Lots of seniors are socially isolated. They live by themselves. They’ve lost their connections with relatives and friends. They don’t have a job or hobby to occupy them. They’re on their own.
Having such limited social interactions can be very lonely. Loneliness is more than a bad feeling. Experiencing long-term loneliness has health consequences like higher rates of depression, cardiovascular disease and stroke. There are strong links to loneliness and cognitive issues, including memory loss.
On the other hand, regular social engagement brings lots of benefits, including lower rates of depression, lower rates of anxiety and longer life expectancy. It improves your cognitive capabilities. It motivates you to try new things and take on healthy habits. And most importantly, it makes you happier. Why wouldn’t you want a happier, healthier retirement?
Here are three simple ways to socialize during your retirement:
Move into a Community:
A retirement community is the perfect place to live independently and stay social at the same time. As a resident, you have the opportunity to live in your own suite and maintain your day-to-day routine. If you’re ever feeling lonely, you can connect with other residents in the common areas, dining with them, playing games, watching movies and chatting together. Take a look at this retirement residence in Whitby and see what incredible socializing opportunities are available for residents there. There will never be a dull moment.
Join a Club:
Trying new activities is a great way to get to know new people and make long-lasting connections. If you’re moving into an active senior living community, you should sign up for the activities they have available, like exercise classes, creative workshops and weekly clubs.
If you’re not moving yet, look up local clubs and groups that you can join. See how this man got his retired father to join a club called the Men’s Shed to get him out of the house and out of his comfort zone. His father got to try woodworking and made new friends in the process.
It’s possible that you can’t find any groups that completely match your interests. You could take the initiative and set up a group in hopes that people will want to join in, like a weekly book club or a knitting circle.
Go Online:
There are times when socializing can be a challenge. For instance, the potential spread of COVID-19 is a problem for seniors across the country. So, what can you do if you can’t attend your clubs and hobbies without putting your health and safety at risk?
In this case, you can socialize online. You can use video chatting apps to call up your friends and see them face-to-face. You can join in on digital games and activities. As long as you have a phone/computer and an internet connection, you can keep in touch with the people you know and make brand new connections with people that you don’t.
The future of retirement combines independent and community living styles together. This combination will help seniors feel confident, comfortable and happy throughout their golden years.
