Most people know that social connections can greatly impact one’s mental AND physical health. Having close connections can provide a protective factor for people’s health, while a lack of social connections is correlated with a variety of negative health outcomes. Recent research published by the American Psychological Association underscores this idea. Their findings show that older adults, who have regular positive contact with friends and family, are healthier overall.
However, many people find it difficult to maintain the same level of social connections as they get older, that they had when they were younger. Friends move away and, sadly, pass away. Also, if older adults are no longer working, a whole realm of life, where they may have regularly met and connected with others, is also removed from their lives. Despite these challenges, there are a variety of ways that older adults can meet and connect with new people.
Meetup Groups
One avenue for meeting new people is through meetup groups. Meetup groups are found in every geographic area and provide an opportunity for people with similar interests to gather.
There are meetup groups for people to get together to do just about anything you can think of, from discussing books or politics to exercising, dining or playing games together. You name it, there’s probably a meetup group for that. However, if you don’t see a meetup group that matches your current interests, don’t be shy. Start one yourself.
Senior Villages
Another great way for older adults to meet new people is through their local senior village. Senior villages are typically composed of people over 55 or 60 who live in roughly the same neighborhood. While senior villages serve a variety of functions to benefit its members, providing opportunities to socialize is an important one.
Senior villages usually maintain robust social calendars with a variety of ways for its members to come together, hosting activities ranging from: speaker series, theater outings, painting classes, exercise groups, happy hours, etc. To find out if a senior village exists in your area, search the Village to Village network site.
[Read more about the many benefits that senior villages have to offer here.]
Volunteering
In addition to meetup groups and local senior villages, another way to meet new people and connect is by volunteering. Volunteering offers an opportunity to help a cause that you care about, while also providing a venue to meet others who value the same cause.
Interested in politics? Volunteer for a political campaign. Interested in dogs and cats? Help out with a local animal rescue league. Love working with children? Volunteer at a pediatric hospital or preschool. You name it, there’s an organization that would love your help.
You can search for volunteer opportunities on the websites of specific organizations you know of or cast a wider net and check out VolunteerMatch, or your local United Way and read about all the volunteer opportunities available in your area.
While meetup groups, senior villages and volunteer jobs are all great venues to meet and connect with others, there are certainly many other ways to engage, as well. What’s important is not necessarily how or where you meet with others, but just that you do. Maintain social ties as you age, and you are helping not just your emotional well-being, but your physical well-being as well.
I’d love to hear your ideas about the best ways for older adults to meet new people or what’s worked for you. Please email me or respond to the community on Facebook and let us know.
