How Community Connection Enriches Senior Life in Venice

Prioritizing community connection can enhance your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. You can foster new senior friendships through your Venice, FL senior living community. 

According to a study on social isolation and loneliness in older adults, 37% of seniors aged 50 to 80 experience loneliness. Another 34% feel socially isolated. Both can cause poor physical and mental health, increasing your risk of serious health conditions.

Community connection, on the other hand, may increase your longevity and overall well-being. How can you start socializing in Venice, FL, and how will it impact your health? Read on to find out!

What Are the Risk Factors of Social Isolation?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, loneliness and social isolation may impact more groups than others, including:

• Immigrants
• People who identify as queer
• Young adults
• Older adults
• Adults living alone
• Low-income adults

About one in three US adults reports feeling alone, while one in four lacks social and emotional support. Social isolation occurs when someone lacks relationships or contact with other people. Loneliness can cause you to feel disconnected from others, even when you have a lot of friends.

Certain lifestyle factors and health conditions may increase your risk of social isolation, including:

• Having a long-term disability
• Language barriers
• Having a psychiatric or depressive condition
• Lacking transportation
• Living in rural areas
• Facing a divorce or loss of a loved one
• Having a chronic disease or condition
• Facing unemployment
• Being marginalized or discriminated against

If these risk factors sound familiar, take preventive action. Reach out to members of your Venice, FL community to avoid social isolation and loneliness. 

Why Are Senior Friendships Important?

Social isolation and loneliness are linked to mental and physical health risks, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• A weak immune system
• Cognitive decline
• Alzheimer's disease
• Early death

Prioritizing community connection may help reduce your risk of these health conditions.It may foster a sense of belonging and renew your purpose in life. Here are a few ways connected aging in place can benefit your overall wellness.

Emotional Wellness

Depression affects 21 million US adults annually. Lifestyle factors associated with aging may increase your risk of depression as you age.These include:

• Chronic medical illnesses
• Social isolation and loneliness
• Disability
• Lower income

The lack of an active social life may increase your risk of depression.Depression may cause:

• Difficulty concentrating or other cognitive changes
• Insomnia or oversleeping
• Overeating or a decrease in appetite
• Slow speech or movement
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness
• Irritability
• Low energy or fatigue
• Persistent sadness
• Apathy
• Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Persistent digestive problems
• Physical pains that don't improve with treatment

Consult a mental healthcare professional if you experience symptoms of depression. They can ensure you begin immediate treatment before your health deteriorates further. In the meantime, explore group activities in senior living to make new friendships.

Maintaining social connections can improve your emotional wellness. Your friends can boost your self-esteem while giving you a sense of belonging.

Physical Health

Spending time with friends may encourage you to stay physically active. Exercising can benefit your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. For example, it may help:

• Reduce your risk of functional limitations, allowing you to maintain your independence
• Ease pain symptoms
• Help you manage chronic health conditions
• Help you maintain a healthy weight
• Support positive mental health and boost your mood
• Reduce your risk of premature death

You can find fun exercise classes through your community's fitness program. Ask friends to join you for weekly classes. They can encourage you to attend regularly, allowing you to reap these benefits.

Exercising with friends can also make it more enjoyable. You can challenge and motivate one another.

Mental Wellness

According to the National Institute on Aging, loneliness is linked to a heightened dementia risk. This study found that loneliness increases the risk for:

• Alzheimer's by 14%
• Vascular dementia by 17%
• Cognitive impairment by 12% 

Feeling lonely may cause an increase in beta-amyloid and tau proteins in the brain. This is linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Spending time with friends can help you relieve stress. Explore your senior living community's events and activities calendar for fun ways to socialize.

Tips for Community Connection

You can maintain an active social life through your senior living community. Here are a few ways your community can encourage senior friendships. 

Join an Exercise Class

Participate in exercise classes through your community's exercise program, such as:

• Pilates
• Weight lifting
• Resistance training
• Tai chi
• Dancing
• Swimming
• Walking or hiking
• Water aerobics

Group Activities in Senior Living

Discover group activities in senior living like:

• Arts and crafts
• Music lessons
• Pet therapy
• Cooking classes
• Gardening club

Otherwise, try connecting with members of your Venice community by volunteering. Showcase your skills and help other seniors expand their own. Sharing your abilities can foster a sense of purpose and accomplishment, which can improve your emotional health. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Is the Best Spot for Seniors to Make Friends?

The best locations for seniors to make friends include:

• Educational classes at local colleges or community centers
• Events at local libraries
• Fitness classes
• Volunteering opportunities
• Senior living communities
• Hobby-based clubs
• Online communities
• Local events

Explore your senior living community for more opportunities to connect with seniors who share your interests.

How Often Should Seniors Socialize?

Try socializing with members of your senior living community every day. Socializing daily can reduce feelings of stress and loneliness.

Regular community connection may improve your longevity. Scializing could reduce your risk of earlier death by improving your mental and physical health. Avoiding loneliness and social isolation can reduce your risk of related health issues.

Socializing every day was associated with significantly longer survival. Your friends may encourage healthy behaviors, such as exercising and eating a healthy diet, that may help extend your longevity.

To socialize daily, try:

• Scheduling regular phone calls with friends and family members
• Volunteering
• Attending exercise classes
• Attending club meetings
• Joining friends for meals

Connect With Your Community in Venice

Community connection can help you thrive as you age. Explore your local senior living community to foster senior friendships.

Aston Gardens at Pelican Pointe offers six exclusive, all-inclusive lifestyle programs that set our community apart. Enjoy Sensations Dining for fresh meals, Celebrations Activities & Events for seminars and bingo, and Dimensions Health & Fitness for enhanced mental and physical wellness. Contact us to schedule your tour.