How to Stay Social as a Senior

Dr. Raymond Hobbs

| 3 min read

Dr. Hobbs, MD, is a senior medical director in Utilization Management at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and works with a team of physicians to evaluate medical cases. He graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School and is a former faculty member at both the Medical School and the College of Literature, Science and the Arts. His specialties are internal medicine, geriatric medicine and palliative medicine. Dr. Hobbs spent the majority of his career in patient care, teaching and academic medicine as well as research. He has three adult children and a granddaughter. His non-medical interests include competitive chess, classical music, playing the piano, learning Spanish, cooking, drawing and painting, traveling, writing, restoring an old home from 1914 and the martial arts. He has a fourth-degree black belt in Hakko Denshin Ryu Jiu Jitsu and is studying Kung Fu (Wing Chun) as well.

Social isolation can pose a serious threat to the mental and physical health of older adults. In fact, research shows limited individual or societal contact can directly impact mortality and has been linked to chronic conditions such as depression, obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure.
With more than 15.2 million older adults living alone, maintaining relationships with friends and family members is crucial. Here are some tips to stay engaged as a senior:
  • Embrace ridesharing: Transportation can become a point of contention for older adults as some may be unable to safely operate a vehicle. To avoid burdening others, they may opt-out of social activities. With ridesharing, seniors have easy access to transportation, which helps them maintain a daily routine.
  • Go back to school: It’s never too late to acquire a new skill. Many universities and colleges offer lifelong learning classes at a reduced rate for seniors seeking educational opportunities. These classes can be a great way to meet new people and stay sharp mentally.
  • Join social media: The internet has made it easier than ever to stay connected. About 67% of adults ages 65 and older are active online. Regardless of location, social media allows users to interact with like-minded people from the same demographic. In some cases, online friendships are just as strong and beneficial as their offline counterparts.
  • Play in a sports league: There are many recreational leagues that cater to older adults. By joining a team, seniors stay more physically active, confident and social. Also, those who engage in extracurricular activities, are more likely to have reduced blood pressure, a lower body mass index (BMI) and better physical function.
  • Reconnect with family: The most vital socialization starts at home. Older adults can reinforce their familial presence by finding common ground and sharing valuable knowledge and insight. In general, reconnecting with family has a positive impact on everyone involved.
  • Rejoin the workforce: Retirees may find themselves missing the structure of a full-time job. Therefore, many seek out freelance or part-time employment. Perks include increased productivity and access to company wellness programs, which lead to long-term benefits like lower health care costs.
  • Start traveling: Whether in a group or alone, visiting different locations can be fun and exciting. Meeting people and embracing new cultures offers a one-of-a-kind experience and increases the potential to create more relationships.
  • Volunteer: Community-based volunteer efforts encourage individuals to step outside their comfort zones and are often a collaboration among people from various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. It teaches humility, grace and can provide a renewed sense of purpose.
Additional opportunities: Looking for even more ways to get active? Individuals with Medicare Advantage plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan can participate in the Silver Sneakers program. It’s an initiative that supports seniors by providing access to more than 14,000 fitness centers. Members can attend special classes where they learn healthier habits, while interacting with peers.
If you found this post helpful, you might also want to read:
Photo credit: Getty Images

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

1 Comments

M
Monica Soltes

Jul 18, 2019 at 12:44pm

These are good suggestions for healthy seniors. I am a young disabled person who depends on SSDI for the sole income. Most of my outings to mingle with the public is to attend doctors appointments most at a substantial distsnce. With my health it is impossible to commit to being at a job or volunteer position. Yet one of the now largest disability beyond mobikity is the depression loneliness isolation hopeless living with

MI Blues Perspectives is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association