How to Stay Socially Engaged as You Age
As you get older, normal changes in your brain can make
it more difficult for you to learn new information or remember things. In
people who have dementia, this intellectual impairment becomes so severe that
it interferes with their lives. Sometimes cognitive decline cannot be avoided,
but in other cases, keeping your mind stimulated or interacting with your peers
may help ward off dementia and depression, another common senior health
concern.
One recent study from the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center
in Chicago found that highly social seniors had a 70 percent lower rate of
cognitive decline than their less social peers. Another study, by researchers
at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, discovered that Internet use was
associated with a 30 percent decrease in depressive symptoms.
Tips for Staying Socially Engaged as You Age
There are plenty of ways to stay socially connected and
intellectually stimulated:
Nurture your social network. Make an effort to maintain
your close personal relationships with family members, friends, church members,
neighbors, and other important people in your life. Even if they’re not close
by, you can still keep in touch by e-mail or Facebook. According to data from
the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, the 74-plus
demographic is the fastest-growing group across Web-based social networks. Use
of sites like Facebook and Twitter among Internet users 65 and older grew 100
percent between 2009 and 2010, from 13 percent to 26 percent. Many assisted
living centers have even begun offering technology classes to get seniors
online and in the social-networking loop.
Play "mind" games. Regularly doing crossword
puzzles and playing chess and other intellectually stimulating games keeps your
mind active and, if you play with others, helps you stay socially connected to
your peers. Scientists believe that both your body and your mind follow the
principle "use it or lose it." So think of these games as fun ways to
exercise your brain.
Join a club. Contact your local senior center and ask
around to see if there are any clubs in your area you would be interested in
becoming a part of. Attending regular book club, garden club, or art club
meetings is a great way to meet new people and establish rewarding
relationships with people who have similar interests.
Go back to work. Many people experience stress after they
retire, feeling they have lost part of their identity. If you are longing to
work again, consider taking a part-time job, which can help keep your mind
stimulated and give you a sense of greater contribution. Civic Ventures and the
Work Search program offer assistance to older people who want to get back into
the workforce.
Volunteer in your community. If you want to have a
feeling of purpose or contribute to a greater cause, find a way to volunteer in
your community. You can find out more about volunteer opportunities through
organizations like Senior Corps, a government-run organization that connects
seniors with local and national organizations in need of volunteers. Recent
studies show that older individuals who volunteer have a reduced risk of death
compared to their counterparts who do not.
Offer family assistance. If you have grandchildren or
other young family members you would like to see more of, offer to babysit
regularly. Chasing around after children is a great way to keep you physically
active and improve your sense of well-being.
No comments:
Post a Comment