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Friendships that people develop and sustain gain immense importance as they grow older. Maintaining social and personal connections is essential to promoting a healthy lifestyle as we age. There is no doubting the importance of these relationships for seniors, despite the fact that certain changes and circumstances during this stage of life can make maintaining active friendships more difficult.
Healthy relationships help seniors overcome loneliness and sadness.
When seniors are cut off from the people and feeling of purpose that once motivated them, they are more vulnerable to mental and emotional health problems. Due to a lack of possibilities for social interaction, they typically struggle to maintain their social lives. This could lead to feelings of loneliness, and in some cases, severe depression.
We are sociable creatures by nature, therefore as we age, it is crucial to take the initiative to keep up good relationships with elderly friends. This could entail planning joint meals, engaging in neighbourhood social events, participating in senior-focused community programmes, volunteering, or engaging in any other activities that make you (or the senior in your life) feel more a part of the community.
Social interaction enhances cognitive health and mental acuity.
Recent research on neuroplasticity suggests that the brain is still capable of reorganizing itself and developing new neural connections. Up until recently, scientists believed that the brain’s capacity for learning and growth was fixed and limited. We now know that even after adolescence, the brain can change and adapt. To truly benefit from neuroplasticity, one must actively use their brain.
As such, establishing senior interactions is essential for healthy ageing. The elderly should preserve their current connections with others while also making new ones in their surroundings. Playing a card game or picking up a new skill can significantly improve cognitive health.
Human connection and immunity are strongly correlated.
Interpersonal interactions and health have some fascinating relationships. An analysis that compared seniors who were lonely with those who were not indicated that the former had a higher chance of developing cardiovascular, hypertensive, and diabetes-related problems. Furthermore, a University of Chicago study discovered that, particularly in older persons, loneliness can result in a large rise in blood pressure, possibly by 30 points.
Researchers from UCLA School of Medicine, the University of California at Davis, and the University of Chicago discovered that loneliness affects the body’s monocytes, a type of white blood cell that aids in infection defense. Immunity is compromised by immature monocytes, which are brought on by social isolation.
It’s true that old age friendships can help you live longer.
A study led by Susan Pinker in social neuroscience reveals a significant link between face-to-face interaction and the ability to learn, be joyful, be resilient, and live a long life. She contends that relationships—whether they be tight friendships or more casual social ties—are a natural way for humans to bond with one another. In order to grow and live, we require our own “village,” which consists of our family, friends from our past, and our current community.
A prospective study of 4,000 breast cancer patients found that the size of their in-person social networks was the most important predictor of survival over a 10-year period. There was a 2 to 15-year lifetime advantage for those with active social lives. According to some studies, social engagement may even be a more accurate indicator of health and lifespan than physical activity or even smoking. Maintaining social ties in old age is critical to ensuring a longer and healthier life.
Often, family members take up more of the caregiving.
AARP reports that as we get older, our friends influence our health and wellbeing more than our family. Under the guidance of Michigan State University assistant psychology professor William Chopik, 280,000 people were surveyed about their relationships, happiness, and health.
Familial ties viewed as being more important. although research on older people “generally misses the impact of friendship on physical and mental health.” However, it is common for family members to provide full-time care for the elderly, which may instill a sense of duty. According to Chopik, who argues that while the relationships are still significant, they might not give an elderly person’s life as much happiness as permanent friendships.
The idea that there is accountability in friendship has merit.
When elders spend time together, they can frequently inspire one another to adopt a good diet and engage in more physical activity. For instance, participating in physical activity as a group might inspire everyone to maintain a healthy routine.
Older friends who care about each other’s health are likely to provide the most frequent reminders of what needs to be done to sustain health. This could include following a healthy diet, attending medical visits, and correctly managing medicines. Additionally, they can alert you to any impairments (such as vision or hearing loss) that you might not have seen right away so you can provide them with the care they need.
It is crucial for you (or the older person in your life) to create an atmosphere that encourages the formation of new friendships and the maintenance of current ones. One of the most appealing features of senior living facilities is how accessible they are to the local area and social activities.
Want to learn more?
Please reach out to us at wecare@considracare.com, or call us at 1-855-410-7971, and we will be happy to help you arrange care for a loved one.
