If there is one thing we learned during the COVID shutdown of 2020, it’s that social interaction is vital to our wellbeing as humans. Early visuals of elderly neighbors sitting at the thresholds of their apartment doors in order to chat with their neighbors was indicative of the interaction we craved during the shut-in.
Socialization is especially critical as we age. The benefits have been widely reported and discussed as improving physical and emotional health. But there are other less-known benefits that are equally as meaningful to the aging loved one who might be feeling a bit isolated or questioning their value to society.
• Feeling a sense of control. Elderly who need a degree of help or care may feel like they are losing control of themselves and their life. They may feel as though they are now the children and their family member care-provider is the parent. Having a social network outside of family can help seniors maintain a sense of independence and decision making for their daily life.
• Staying Relevant. As families grow, the elder parent can begin to feel less relevant as they age and pass a torch to their adult children and then adult grandchildren. They struggle with feelings of irrelevance that can permeate their perception of self-value to family and society as a whole. Finding a social network of friends in the same age group and with similar interests – and getting together for social fun and activities can restore a sense of relevance and value to the aging loved one.
• Building Resilience. Social networks outside family provides support during times of difficulty such as illness or loss. A strong group of friends and even social acquaintances can help seniors cope during these trying times and in kind, feel valued by offering the same support for their friends when they are in need.
• Managing Daily Life. Just like a young parent seeks carpooling, babysitting and other help from their social network of parent friends, so can an aging senior with their circle of friends. Daily life activities can be more enjoyable and productive when seniors get help and give help with tasks such as transportation, meals, chores and caregiving.
If your loved one seems to spend a lot of time alone, or inside, encourage them to start getting social and share with them the many quality-of-life benefits they’ll experience.
Socialization is especially critical as we age. The benefits have been widely reported and discussed as improving physical and emotional health. But there are other less-known benefits that are equally as meaningful to the aging loved one who might be feeling a bit isolated or questioning their value to society.
• Feeling a sense of control. Elderly who need a degree of help or care may feel like they are losing control of themselves and their life. They may feel as though they are now the children and their family member care-provider is the parent. Having a social network outside of family can help seniors maintain a sense of independence and decision making for their daily life.
• Staying Relevant. As families grow, the elder parent can begin to feel less relevant as they age and pass a torch to their adult children and then adult grandchildren. They struggle with feelings of irrelevance that can permeate their perception of self-value to family and society as a whole. Finding a social network of friends in the same age group and with similar interests – and getting together for social fun and activities can restore a sense of relevance and value to the aging loved one.
• Building Resilience. Social networks outside family provides support during times of difficulty such as illness or loss. A strong group of friends and even social acquaintances can help seniors cope during these trying times and in kind, feel valued by offering the same support for their friends when they are in need.
• Managing Daily Life. Just like a young parent seeks carpooling, babysitting and other help from their social network of parent friends, so can an aging senior with their circle of friends. Daily life activities can be more enjoyable and productive when seniors get help and give help with tasks such as transportation, meals, chores and caregiving.
If your loved one seems to spend a lot of time alone, or inside, encourage them to start getting social and share with them the many quality-of-life benefits they’ll experience.