When children are growing up, their parents encourage socialization, because they know that it’s important for their kids to learn how to connect with other people. The truth is, socialization is an important part of life no matter how old a person is. Every person has innate needs, and one of those needs is to have relationships with other people. You may not realize it, but socializing with others is especially important for seniors, for a number of reasons.
- Human interaction helps keep people mentally sharp. If you’re interacting with different people during the day, you’ll have to use your skills of focus and concentration. You might engage in lively conversation or debate, which helps keep your wits sharp. In fact, there’s research to indicate that connecting with friends lowers your risk of dementia and boosts the health of your brain.
- Connecting with others is good for a person’s mental and emotional health. Depression can be a problem for older people, and social isolation is a major risk factor for depression. Loneliness can take a toll on people of any age, and human connection is extremely important to a person’s overall wellbeing. In the past, there have been numerous studies done in orphanages that revealed psychological effects from a lack of touch and interaction. Just as babies are more likely to thrive with human care, the same is true for older people. Especially when social interaction involves rewarding and fun activities, it can help a person maintain a positive outlook.
- A person’s physical health even benefits from interaction with others. Staying healthy can be a challenge for older adults, but when they live in a community with others, they’re more likely to stay physically active. The benefits of remaining active both physically and socially include reduced blood pressure, reduced risk of ailments like osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular disease, and a potentially lowered risk of Alzheimer’s disease and mental illness. What’s more, when seniors live in a close-knit community, they’re more likely to have friends who will check in on them, which makes them less likely to get sick or fall without someone noticing.
- Social interaction just feels good! It’s pleasant to engage with people, sharing your point of view and hearing theirs. When you interact with others, it helps you feel connected to the world around you and allows you to share your life experience.
For seniors, a senior living community may be the perfect solution. Senior living communities that provide a wide range of activities and amenities for their residents can help them to live full, happy lives. That’s why at Parkwood Heights, we offer a variety of activities like parties, trips and outings, classes, games, and much more. Right now, our activities are limited because of the pandemic, but our sense of community is just as strong. Our residents can connect with each other while following CDC guidelines, when visitors are limited, in a safe, happy environment.
If you’re searching for a place to connect and thrive, Parkwood Heights is a great place to live your best life. A lovely community in which to spend your retirement, Parkwood Heights is located just minutes from Victor, Fairport, Farmington, and Canandaigua. Our picturesque, 122-acre senior living campus affords many opportunities to enjoy your time with friends and family while enjoying our scenic setting. Call (315) 986-9100 to learn more about all that we have to offer, or check out our website and reach out if you have any questions.
