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The main benefits of remaining socially active include:
Community –
people at any age want to feel part of a community. Senior
centers provide the opportunity to feel connected to your
peers and be part of a group.
Physical Health –
research shows that people who are engaged in more social
interaction are typically healthier individuals. Social
interaction brings positive feelings that mitigate stress
that can be harmful to the body.
Lower rates of Alzheimer’s
– seniors who are more socially active have lower
rates of Alzheimer’s.
These are just a few of the benefits that
show how important it is to remain socially active as you
age. If you are looking for ways to meet new people there
are plenty of opportunities to get involved at your local
senior center.
Volunteering
Volunteering at a senior center is a great
way to meet new people while giving back to your community.
Senior centers are always looking for volunteers to lead
activities and help serve meals.
Activities
Senior centers are a hub of activity. Some
activities include:
· Card games
· Bible studies
· Group exercise
· Movies
· Arts and crafts
· Book clubs
· Computer literacy
· Volunteering
Activities are a great way for people to
bond with each other because they provide a natural social
environment that leads to relationship forming and conversation.
The activity provides a common interest that promotes feelings
of openness and belonging that are critical to productive
social interaction.
Congregate Meals
Congregate meals provide a great way to
be socially active. Not only do people get a healthy and
nutritious lunch they are able to spend time with their
peers around the lunch table having great discussion. Nothing
brings people together quite like a hot meal. Congregate
meal programs help seniors feel part of a community. They
look forward to meeting daily with their friends to discuss
the day’s news, share stories, and talk about their
families.
Home Care
Another great way to be socially active
is to volunteer your time by providing home care to seniors
who are not able to get out of the house. Home care needs
are skyrocketing as more seniors desire to stay home but
need help around the house. Your local senior center can
provide you with a list of people who you can visit. Anyone
can be a home care volunteer and you do not need any special
medical training.
Home care typically involves:
· Light house duty – dishes,
laundry, cleaning
· Errands – taking the senior to go shopping,
doctor’s appointments
· Companionship – many seniors are perfectly
capable of taking care of themselves and just want some
company
· Personal care – this may involve help bathing,
getting dressed, etc
As you can see there are plenty of opportunities
for social interaction at your local senior center. It’s
important for your physical and mental health and a great
way to enrich your life and the lives of those around you.
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