The number of friends we have typically fluctuates throughout our lives, but it never loses its importance. Friends give us feelings of companionship and belonging. They help show us what’s important and give us someone to share laughter and tears with. When we’re younger, we can easily make new connections around a favorite food, band, type of animal or activity. As we get older, forming new relationships can become more challenging. Once you retire, you may lose many of your work relationships, and neighbors and friends can start to move away. But you still need friends. Here are some reasons why friendships are important and ways to jump-start your social life.
Why is Friendship Important?
While being social is a vital part of life, another part of life is losing friends as you get older. Life gets busy, people move away, and it gets harder to form new social connections. But relationships provide a variety of benefits, which is why maintaining friendships as you get older can have a positive impact on your health and wellness, including:
- Better Mental Health — Research shows you can improve your mood with consistent contact with friends and family members. Interacting with others also boosts feelings of well-being and reduces stress and feelings of depression.
- Improved Physical Health — Being socially active can often help keep you physically active. Especially if you’re getting together with a workout buddy, walking group, or joining friends on the golf course. Physical activity can help lower blood pressure, reduce physical pain, and even boost your immune system — allowing you to fight off colds, the flu and even some types of cancer.
- Improved Eating and Sleeping Habits — Seniors can start to choose convenience over proper nutrition, making themselves more vulnerable to malnutrition. Studies show seniors who dine with others often eat more food and choose healthier options. Also, those with good relationships, tend to sleep better than those who don’t are socially isolated.
- A Sense of Belonging — Friendships can help you stay connected to those you care about most. It can also help give you a feeling of belonging and add a sense of purpose. Participating in group activities also allows you to create and become part of a greater support system.
- Increased Longevity — Some studies have shown that those who are connected to others can even live a longer, happier life. That’s because friends can help you deal with the stresses of life and can also encourage you to live a healthier lifestyle. In fact, research from Argentum (formerly known as the Assisted Living Federation of America) showed that more socially active seniors were more likely to live past age 90, and on average lived 5.4 years longer than those who were less engaged.
- Lower Risk of Dementia — According to the National Institutes of Health, socializing is good for your brain health. By keeping your brain constantly engaged in activity and interaction, you are sharpening your mind and reducing risk of cognitive decline.
Does Where You Retire Actually Matter?
The Age Well Study, the only national longitudinal study evaluating the impact of living in a Life Plan Community like Sierra Winds, compared residents of senior living communities to older adults from the community at large by focusing on factors associated with resident happiness and life satisfaction. Conducted over five years, the final report found:
- Life Plan Community residents report better physical, emotional, intellectual, social and vocational wellness than their community-at-large counterparts.
- From Years 1 to 5, social contact significantly increased for residents.
- Overall engagement in intellectual activities significantly increased for residents (including increased writing and attending education) and decreased for older adults in the community at large.
How Sierra Winds Makes Finding Friends Easy Again
Once you know the importance of friendships and the type of lifestyle that can help you form more social connections, how do you find the right community fit? Because even though Life Plan Communities provide plenty of opportunities to socialize, each one still takes on the personality of the people who live there.
At Sierra Winds, it really is the people who make the difference. Here, you’ll find a resident created culture that’s close-knit while also welcoming new people into the fold. Everyone shares a strong belief that life is at it’s very best when it’s about genuine feelings of connection to each other, the staff and the larger Peoria community.
Our monthly calendar of activities reflects our residents’ interest in forming lasting friendships. Here are just some of the activities neighbors enjoy that help keep them get and stay connected:
- Fitness and art classes
- Discussion groups
- Lifelong learning classes
- Book clubs
- Walking groups
- Game nights
- Happy hours
Plus, if you have an interest and we don’t already offer it as a club, class or committee, our team will give you the tools and encouragement you need to share it with your neighbors
While the residents are a friendly group who not only enjoys being together, you’ll also find out and about exploring all our area has to offer.
Senior Friendships Formed Here Daily
The best way to understand the true community of friends you’ll find at Sierra Winds is to schedule a personal tour. To chat with one of our engaging team members, call 623-343-7962 or contact us here.
Featured Image: Sabrina Bracher / Shutterstock
