There is good reason to want to find strategies for combating social isolation. Being socially isolated can not only make you feel bad, it can actually be bad for your health.
Research has shown that loneliness in older adults is linked with a variety of significant negative health outcomes. According to a Journal of Health and Social Behavior article, being lonely can lead to: a weakened immune system, depression and anxiety, dementia, a variety of chronic health conditions and death.
Today, approximately 29% of people 65 and older (2x as many women as men) live alone. Further, almost 50% of those 75 and older live alone. These numbers together make it clear that figuring out strategies for combating social isolation is critical.
But, of course, just because you live alone does not mean you are necessarily socially isolated. You can live alone and even spend a significant amount of time alone and not be lonely. The key is being connected and involved with others.
There are relatively simple steps you can take to increase your social engagement and reduce isolation.
1. Go Back to School (sort of)
If you live near a local university, you may be able to take classes for little to no cost.
Have you always wanted to learn more about what Degas was thinking when he painted those dancers? Or how mechanics and thermodynamics work? Now may be your opportunity to find out.
In fact, there is at least one option for those over 60 to take free (or low cost) college classes in all 50 states.
There are also a tremendous number of online college course courses you can “attend.” While you won’t be sitting in a classroom next to other students, you can engage in online discussions with others.
Two sites that offer a variety of different classes are Coursera and Edx. Each has partnered with a number of universities, including Ivy League institutions, to feature wide ranging class offerings on their respective platforms.
2. Join a Fitness Group
Another way to increase connectedness is by participating with others in a group fitness class. Exercising together is a great way to meet new people. Whether you are interested in yoga, tennis, walking or anything in between, there is most likely a class or group available for you to join.
One place you can find exercise classes, some senior specific, is your local Department of Parks and Recreation.
Another option for group exercise, and one that may be included with your health insurance, is Silver Sneakers.
And if you don’t want to or can’t actually go out to exercise with others, there are fitness classes that you can “attend,” “live” from your home. When you “livestream” an exercise class, you can work out along with others in real time, from the comfort of your living room.
Taking a live class, rather than just exercising to a pre-recorded video, increases the sense of connectedness with the instructor and others in the class. Often, the teacher can see you or at least see your name on the screen. You can send shout outs to the instructor and they can respond.
Presently, Classpass is offering live workouts, as is Peloton. Each is free or has a free trial at this time.
3. Join Your Local Senior Village
Neighborhood senior villages are another great way of connecting with others.
If your neighborhood has a local senior village, you can connect with people who live relatively close and are in a similar age range. The villages often sponsor one-off social events, as well as ongoing programs like book clubs, walking groups, etc.
Read more about villages and what they offer.
4. Keep Up with Current Friendships
If you are lucky enough to have good friends locally, make an effort to keep up those relationships. It’s hard to be lonely if you make a regular plan to connect.
You may want to consider setting up standing “dates” with friends. Seeing a particular friend on the same day each week, like a regular Friday coffee or walk, gives you a built-in structure for connecting weekly, with little effort.
Other people may choose to see a show with a friend each time a new production comes to the theater.
If you have long-distance friends, it is easier than ever to stay connected. With apps like Facetime, Skype, and Zoom, you can talk “face to face” as frequently as you would like. You can even meet for a “virtual” coffee date or happy hour.
While technology gets a bad rap for interfering with connecting (and it can do it), it can also definitely help you keep up connections. It can be particularly helpful in maintaining relationships with friends and family who live out of town.
5. Volunteer
Another surefire way to feel less lonely and to connect with others is to get out and help someone else.
Volunteering is a superb way to help yourself, while helping others. It doesn’t matter if you want work with kids, older adults or any other population. What is key about volunteering is that you are focused outside of yourself to help others.
You can find volunteer opportunities through your local United Way. You could also contact a specific museum or non-profit in your community and offer your services. And if you would like to be a little more active while volunteering, there are even opportunities to volunteer as a travel tour guide through a program like Road Scholar.
Any of these volunteer positions will provide you with opportunities to be with other people and connect.
6. Develop a Hobby
Sharing similar interests with someone can also be a natural and easy way to connect with others.
Maybe you are into cooking fine French food, playing bridge or discussing all things Harry Potter. It doesn’t matter. Whatever your interests, there are surely many other people out there who share your passion. And with technology today, finding these people can be a simple internet search away.
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of ways you can stay engaged and combat isolation. Maybe you have other thoughts of activities that would interest you.
Whether you want to join the circus, take college classes or deliver meals for Meals on Wheels, it doesn’t really matter. Whatever your preferred method/s of getting out and spending time with others, the important thing is that you do that, connect with others. That is the key to combating social isolation, and living a happier, healthier life.
