According to Michigan Medicine, one in three older adults experiences isolation and loneliness. Seniors with fair or poor physical or mental health are the most vulnerable. In fact, loneliness may cause their health to decline further.
Consider moving into a senior living community in Chippewa Falls, WI, if you're experiencing social withdrawal. Moving into a bustling community will ensure you have support.
How exactly can moving help with combating loneliness in seniors? Read on to find out!
Loneliness is the feeling of being disconnected from others or alone. Social isolation is a lack of relationships or support from others. Both can put a person at risk of physical and mental health issues.
According to the CDC, about one in four US adults lacks social or emotional support. Certain experiences and conditions can put a person at risk of loneliness and social isolation, including:
Older adults are more at risk of social isolation than other age groups.Here are a few ways social isolation and loneliness can affect your well-being.
Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical conditions, including:
Some evidence suggests they're linked with an increased risk for premature death. They may increase your risk of heart disease by 29% and stroke by 32%.
Social isolation and loneliness may increase your risk of:
Loneliness causes beta-amyloid and tau proteins to build up within the brain. Both are associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Lonely seniors are 20% more likely to develop dementia than others. These seniors also perform worse on tests that assess thinking abilities. Cognitive performance may decrease over time.
Loneliness contributes to cognitive decline by causing:
People who engage in meaningful activities with their peers tend to live longer. Socializing may boost your mood while giving you a sense of purpose in life.It could help improve your cognitive function, allowing you to maintain your independence.
Chronic stress can have mental and physical health effects, causing:
Stress can weaken the immune system. It may leave you more susceptible to an infection or chronic illness.Stress can also increase your risk of developing:
Engaging in fun social activities through your senior living community may help you relieve stress.You can check their events and activities calendar to find opportunities to socialize.
Moving into a Chippewa Falls senior living community may help you combat loneliness. Here are a few ways they can keep you active and engaged with other seniors.
Check your senior living community's events and activities calendar. You can socialize with other seniors through:
Explore a variety of activities to meet different seniors. You can connect with people who have a range of interests.
Challenge yourself by learning something new! Developing new skills may help your brain form new neural pathways (neuroplasticity). This process may help slow cognitive decline.
Staying active and keeping the mind sharp may improve your overall functionality. You may have an easier time maintaining your independence as you age.
Developing new skills can boost your self-confidence and feelings of self-worth. This could improve your mood and longevity.
Spend some time giving back to your community. Volunteering can help you forge new friendships. Other potential benefits include:
Your senior living community may host a support group. Different groups can cover:
You don't have to navigate these challenging situations alone. Instead, lean on people within your community who understand what you're going through.They can offer you helpful coping skills.
They may recommend you prioritize self-care as you navigate your emotions. Consider:
Use your senior living community's lifestyle programs to discover healthy aging strategies. Prioritizing your health can improve your mood and quality of life.
Explore your senior living community's dining program for nutritious, balanced meals. Ask other seniors to join you. Eating together can make meals enjoyable.
You can encourage each other to make healthier decisions. This can also ensure you don't skip meals.
Exercising can benefit your mental and physical health.Explore your community's fitness program for classes, such as:
Exercise can boost the production of serotonin. It may help improve your mood and relieve pain.
Exercising can also improve your strength, allowing you to maintain your mobility and independence. It could help relieve stress. Ask friends to join you and hold you accountable to attend regularly.
Social withdrawal may cause your mental and physical health to decline. Before that happens, explore your senior living community. Their senior social activities and healthy aging strategies may help!
Look no further than LakeHouse Chippewa Falls, where the atmosphere is cozy and the activities are ongoing. Knowing the little things in life can offer the most pleasure, we offer community outings, social and recreational programs, and wellness programs.
We strive to offer the highest quality senior living to provide you with the comfort and care you deserve. Contact us now to schedule your tour.