The importance of companionship doesn’t disappear with age. Yet many elders spend much of their time alone, which has been linked to a number of issues such as depression and illness. Below are six tips that will help elders lead a healthy social life.
Volunteer Your Time
One of the best ways to meet new people and feel good about yourself is to volunteer. There are probably places in your area where you can volunteer your time, and this will give you the opportunity to give back to the community while networking with others. Examples of this include caring for animals, tutoring children or giving food to homeless shelters.
Join a senior living community
One of the best ways to mingle with similarly aged people is to join a retirement community. Even if you’re over the age of 65 and still living at your current residence with no desire to permanently relocate, you can vacation in a senior living community temporarily and socialize with the residents there. For instance, a retiree that lives in New York could fly down to the Southern U.S. for the winter and stay at a resort where they can enjoy the warm weather and company of others. Many retirement communities now offer amenities which rival vacation resorts, including gourmet meals, concierge service and more.
Host a Social Gathering
If you’re unable to leave town, another option is to bring others to you. One of the easiest ways to do this is by hosting a social function, where you will meet similarly aged people with the same interests. You’ll need to figure out how to get the word out, which can be done by enlisting the help of younger people. Everyone loves a festive atmosphere, especially if great tasting food or beverages are present.
Join a Church or Religious Group
One benefit of being a member of a religious organization is that you will always have the opportunity to socialize with others. If you’re already affiliated with a religious group, you’ll want to search for a church, temple, mosque or synagogue in your area, and if not you may want to consider joining one.
Develop New Hobbies
Developing new hobbies which promote socialization is a great idea. Examples of this include tennis, golf, dancing or swimming where you need a partner. You want to prioritize activities which are group oriented where you’ll need to work as a team in order to win and have fun.
Join a Country Club
Country clubs are privately owned organizations that usually have membership quotas. Becoming a member will often require you to be invited or get a sponsorship, but once you do you’ll have access to all sorts of perks including an active social life where you can mingle with high society individuals. Country clubs are commonly associated with activities such as tennis and golf but they also tend to be exclusive and have historically been connected with the upper class, so to become a member you’ll have to be a person of means.
