Our lives are spent socialising with a range of people, from beloved friends and family to work colleagues and service providers. Our rate of socialising hits a peak around our mid 20s then plateaus before it begins declining from age 55. Social connections are crucial to our wellbeing, including in our later years.
One of the benefits of living in a retirement community is ongoing opportunities to socialise. At Karidis, we operate a number of retirement villages across Adelaide that focus on community-oriented, independent living with ample opportunities to socialise through events and daily activities. Here we examine the benefits and importance of socialising.
Staying Connected Boosts Physical and Mental Health
Isolation is a common issue which affects the mental health of people aged over 55. Over 55 communities help to combat this by offering chances to socialise with like-minded people at a similar stage of life. Maintaining quality relationships helps maintain mental and emotional health by preventing loneliness, boredom and a lack of purpose. Having more people around to talk to, relate to and do things with can drastically improve your quality of life.
In a senior living community, you can communicate with peers in your age group as well as participate in mentally stimulating activities like cards, bingo and craft nights. There are also opportunities to stay active and maintain your physical health with activities like group yoga, walking clubs, billiards, snooker, swimming and aqua aerobics.
Improve Cognitive Function
Social interaction is important no matter what your age, but it is increasingly critical as you grow older. Speaking to other people and actively maintaining relationships helps improve memory recall as well as cognitive function in general. It can even potentially reduce the risk of developing conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. A meta-analysis of 13 international studies, conducted by Alzheimer’s Association found that people who maintained strong social connections had a lower rate of dementia.
Live a Longer, Happier Life
People who are more socially active also have a longer average lifespan compared to those who isolate themselves. Socialising also offers other surprising health benefits, such as a reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease, as well as a stronger immune system. Enjoying yourself in a social setting has great health benefits, with something as simple as laughing during a conversation helping to reduce stress levels and improving sleep quality.
Explore Our Community-Oriented Retirement Homes in Adelaide
Karidis retirement villages are designed to promote social, active, independent living for over 55’s. Join a bustling community of retirees across 12 locations in Adelaide, from Glenelg to Underdale. Contact us today to learn more.
