As seniors age, it can be harder to find social opportunities and feel connected. In many cases, the lifestyle that seniors are oftentimes forced to adapt to can start to feel isolating unless their living conditions or environment changes. Additionally, seniors who feel isolated or who lack social opportunities are at higher risk for cognitive and physical challenges, such as dementia.
Social Health needs to be a priority for seniors to help them have the meaningful life they deserve. It can be hard to find the right social environment to help support this area of health for seniors. Fortunately many assisted living communities place connection through social events as one of their top priorities for their residents. If you are looking for a great way to strengthen you or your loved one’s social health as they age, a Logan assisted living community might be a great way to start.
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Socialization Counters Isolation Risks
Isolation as a senior can be both physically and mentally dangerous. Human beings are social creatures and studies show that we thrive when we are in safe, secure, social environments. The opposite is also true. When human beings are cut off or isolated from social environments, they will start to get sick. Long-term isolation and loneliness can take a toll on anyone’s cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and overall health. Some benefits of social interaction for seniors include:
- Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular problems
- Reduced risk of some cancers
- Reduced risk of osteoporosis
- Reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis
- Lowered blood pressure
- Reduced risk of depression
- Reduced risk of anxiety
- Reduced stress
- Improved physical health
There are many benefits of social interaction. Similar to food and water, social opportunities are an essential ingredient in our daily lives that help keep us functioning. Without participation in social interactions, there are many health conditions that are at risk to develop.
Assisted Living Can Prevent Social Isolation
Logan assisted living facilities can provide seniors with a comfortable and safe place for them to be themselves. This type of living facility offers private, apartment-style rooms that allow seniors to have the space they need for themselves, but also allows for them to have plenty of social opportunities.
In this living environment, seniors have neighbors across the hall and one door down, who are in a similar stage of life and can offer connection and friendship. Additionally, assisted living facilities are booked with social activities that not only allow the residents to interact and form friendships but also allow seniors to interact with the staff and the outside world. Some social activities that assisted living facilities offer are
- Crafting
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Gardening
- Swimming
- Zumba
- Social Eating
- Music
- Book Clubs
- Bingo
- Dance, music, or drama entertainment
- Art classes
These kinds of activities help keep assisted living residents engaged and socially healthy. Many times assisted living communities can offer 6 to 10 scheduled social opportunities each day, in order to provide seniors with the social health support they need. As we age, social health is important to prioritize. Check out an assisted living community near you to find the resources needed to support social health in seniors.