The Benefits of Socializing for Seniors
How important is socializing as the person ages? Can lack of socialization truly hold back a person’s 
overall quality of life? This question seems easy to answer. Majority of the people will not really pick seclusion and loneliness over socializing with others.
Studies show that some form of active socialization is an advantage on to one’s health. Sadly, many of our senior loved ones today are beginning to lose their social contacts and there are reasonable explanations for this loss. First, the capacity to drive is reduced – clearly a means to an independent lifestyle, and as a consequence, the access to their friends, relatives and social activities is limited. Second, as one spouse will be sick, the other spouse will happen to be more homebound to take care of his or her partner, and this develops further to a form of social isolationism. Third, passing away of friends that leads to reduced social contacts, which can result to a moderate but constant decline in social function as we age.
While physical activity is needed to sustain body wellness, social activities also play a vital part. As we age, being socially active is considered more. Thus, socialization for the seniors is really important like the younger ones have. When they socialize, they enhance their lives. Feeling needed and active helps them to live blissful lives. It also helps with their emotional health, thus reducing stress as a result.
Seniors will get a lot of health benefits when they socialize. It includes reduced risk for cardiovascular problems, cancers, osteoporosis, mental health issues such as depression and dementia, high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis. On the contrary, doing the opposite brings about feelings of loneliness, depression, being less physically active, having greater risk of death and high blood pressure.
In addition, here are some suggested activities that seniors can do to improve their social skills:
- As a start, keeping in touch with family and friends by visiting them regularly.
- Volunteering in the community work and activities.
- Visiting a senior care center and join their activities. In here, they can participate in some activities and make new friends.
- Join interest groups where they can enjoy the activities that they like to do, e.g.: playing chess, reading books
- Enroll in some classes like cooking, where seniors can learn new cuisines or at gym or fitness centers to stay physically fit.
- Be involved in the social media world where they can communicate with others and play games as a form of recreation. If not yet comfortable in using computers or other related gadgets, ask help from the younger ones.
Depression, anxiety and loneliness can lead to health issues. The more the seniors are socially active, the less risk of them getting depression. Therefore, encourage them to get up and get out by socializing with others – it can really do well for their health.
