The Importance of Socializing for Seniors

Are you or someone you know avoiding social situations more lately?  Has the pandemic set a new pattern of isolation or anxiety?  Do the activities once enjoyed now seem like too much effort?

For Seniors, social isolation may be more prevalent as aging, mobility issues and change in routine can lead to staying home more often. This article will discuss the benefits of socializing and keeping connected. Maintaining relationships and spending time with others is essential to a senior’s emotional and mental well-being. Social interaction for seniors is important as it can help prevent depression, which is prevalent among seniors. In fact, some studies indicate 20% of the population over 70 years of age suffer from depression. There are many causes, but it’s often made worse by the fact that people who were once active now spend much of their time alone.

Engaging in activities such as card games, painting, crafts, book club, exercise programs and many other offerings are encouraged.  Showing up is 50% of getting started! Often once involved in an outing, meeting others and trying a new skill brings the courage to keep participating. Perfection is not expected!

Improving brain health and memory as well as physical health is often at the forefront of senior’s worries. Below are 8 brain-health tips for a healthier you as referenced by the Mayo Clinic.

Work Up a Sweat

People who are physically active are more likely to keep their minds sharp. Regular physical activity also can help improve balance, flexibility, strength, energy and mood. Research suggests that exercise may lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines recommends at least 150 min a week of moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walking. Even a 10 min walk a few times a day is effective.

In addition, some muscle strengthening activities twice weekly and activities that challenge balance.

Be sure to check out our Youtube Channel for pre-recorded workouts that can be completed from the comfort of your home!

Protect Your Head

A brain injury can have a significant long-term impact on a person's life. Brain injuries can affect thinking, memory, coordination, speech and emotions. To protect your brain, always wear a helmet when doing an activity where there's a risk of head injuries. Examples include biking, skiing, riding a horse or when using a motorcycle, snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle.

Other common causes of head injuries include car accidents and falls. Help avoid hits to the head by wearing a seatbelt in the car. To keep from falling, be careful with your footing on ladders, on uneven ground or when you're in an unfamiliar area. Help prevent falls at home by removing clutter from stairs and hallways. Keep stairways well lit. Make sure all carpets and rugs are firmly attached to the floor so that they don't slip.

Take Care of Your Health

Some medical conditions can raise the risk of developing problems with thinking and memory. They also may raise the risk of having a stroke, which can damage blood vessels in the brain. Among the most common of these conditions are diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. If you have ongoing medical concerns, follow your healthcare professional's directions on how best to treat and control them. If you don't have these conditions, ask your healthcare team what you can do to prevent them.

Meet up With Friends

If you're on the fence about whether to go out with friends or invite loved ones over, do it. Being social helps ward off depression and stress. Both can make memory loss worse. Social isolation and loneliness also have been linked to a higher risk of a decline in thinking skills and Alzheimer's disease.

Get a Good Night's Rest

Sleep is the human equivalent of plugging in your phone to charge. A good night's sleep helps improve brain function and memory, keeps you alert and makes it easier to do daily tasks. Rest also eases stress and depression.

Make getting enough healthy sleep a priority. Adults should sleep 7 to 9 hours a night. If snoring disrupts sleep, make an appointment with your healthcare professional. Snoring could be a sign of a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea. Conditions that disturb sleep may raise the risk for a decline in thinking skills and dementia.

Make a Salad

Research has found that eating a healthy diet may play a role in preventing or delaying symptoms of dementia. In particular, the MIND diet can be a valuable tool for brain health.

MIND stands for Mediterranean Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. This diet of brain healthy foods gives your brain fuel to help improve mental focus and slow decline in thinking skills. The MIND diet focuses on plant-based foods. It includes plenty of leafy greens and other vegetables, berries, nuts, whole grains, poultry and fish. It limits foods like butter, cheese, red meat and sweets.

Challenge Your Brain

Just as physical activity keeps your body in shape, activities that engage your mind can keep your brain in shape. And those activities may help improve brain function and memory. Do crossword puzzles. Read. Play games. Learn to play a musical instrument. Try a new hobby. Volunteer at a local school or with a community group.

Be Careful With Medicines and Limit Alcohol

Drugs and alcohol can affect how brain cells communicate with one another. They also can have an effect on your brain's ability to react, plan, solve problems and control impulses. Follow the directions on medicines carefully. That includes medicines that you get without a prescription.

If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation.  The new Canadian guideline now recommends 2 drinks/week as a low risk consequence.

Spending time with others is essential to a senior’s mental and emotional health. It also impacts their physical well-being. It is important for seniors and their family members to encourage more social interaction, even if they have limited mobility and can’t enjoy the same events and friendships they once did.