The Importance of Social Interaction for Seniors
From when we’re children and young adults to having children and grandchildren of our own, a vibrant social life is essential for both our emotional and physical health. As the poet Edward Young wisely observed, “Friendship’s the wine of life.” Or, to put it in the words of the author Linda Grayson, “There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate.”
Life at Westminster Village gives you endless possibilities to stay social and enjoy the most of independent senior living. Located in West Lafayette, IN, in Tippecanoe County, residents enjoy easy access to beautiful parks and miles of walking and biking trails. Enjoy a wide range of social activities for seniors both on- and off-campus, including exciting clubs, delicious dining, art galleries, nightlife, shops, and more.
Here are just a few ways that relationships and friendships enrich our lives and health, and important everyday social opportunities for seniors, all answering the question: “Why is social interaction important for seniors?”
Improved Emotional Health
Regular social activity for seniors has been proven to reduce the risk and symptoms of depressions, anxiety, and other mood-related disorders. Spending time with friends, family, and loved ones, both in-person or over the phone, is beneficial. A rich social life stimulates the amygdala, the part of the brain that controls emotions and memories. That is why retirement communities with engaging senior social activities can help promote positive mood regulation and overall emotional health, and highlights the importance of social connections for seniors.
Memory and Cognitive Function
Socializing helps regulate not only your mood, but also sharpens your memory skills and brain health. Social relationships for seniors, like keeping up conversations and activities with friends and family, helps build and maintain crucial neural networks in the brain. Social interactions help bolster both short- and long-term memory retention, as well as keeping our lives fulfilling and engaging.
Stronger Physical Health
Social activities for seniors helps lower the risk of certain conditions, including both heart disease and diabetes. Group activities like walking, biking, and exercise classes encourage our bodies to stay moving and maintain healthy habits as part of a larger peer group, as well as providing additional therapeutic benefits that accompany friendly bonding with neighbors and friends. At Westminster Village, residents enjoy a wide range of engaging amenities, including our state-of-the-art fitness center, a robust activities calendar, and resident gardening program.
Ways to Get Started
Here are a just a few ways to expand and enrich your social life, starting today:
- Join group activities and clubs. Whether it’s crafting classes, exercise programs, or sports teams, activities like these provide a great environment to meet new people and build lasting friendships based on shared interests.
- Share meals with friends and family. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and every meal in between are all perfect times to reconnect, plan your day, or share memories of the afternoon’s adventures.
- Volunteer or fundraise for local organizations. Give back to your community while meeting like-minded individuals who share your passions.
Enjoy Endless Social Opportunities at Westminster Village
Living in a retirement community gives you countless opportunities to enjoy social activities for seniors, perfect to maintain old friendships and kindle new ones. With clubs and sports to restaurant-style meals and fitness groups, senior living communities like Westminster Village help you share, laugh, and socialize with those around you. Visit our website and reach out to learn if our friendly retirement community is right for you.
