In July, we celebrate Social Wellness Month, which is a month designated to observe ways to increase social well-being for all people – especially senior citizens. Much like physical and mental activity, keeping up with social activity and well-being is imperative to maintaining a healthy lifestyle in the golden years.
As seniors grow older, they are at risk for self-isolation, due to lack of social interaction, more time alone at home and a shortage of daily social support from friends or family. However, these obstacles can all be mitigated through simple changes and upgrades in a senior’s life.
What is social wellness?
Social wellness is how we create relationships with other people and how we interact with those that we meet. Throughout our lifetime, our social well-being is important to our overall health, and as seniors grow older, senior social support needs oftentimes fall by the wayside to make way for physical and other mental health concerns that come with aging.
As we grow older, the social aspect of our lives can decline – seniors have retired and do not have the same interaction with coworkers or friends that they do when they are actively working. Mobility issues and health issues can make it more difficult to stay involved with the community. It is more important than ever for seniors to stay active with relationships to combat self-isolation and feelings of loneliness.
What are the benefits of social wellness for seniors?
Social support is vital to enhance the quality of life for seniors. Those who are able to build and maintain these relationships will be overall healthier and happier than those who do not have that interaction. Research also shows that seniors with strong social wellness are more likely to:
Live longer, more active lives
Respond better to stressful situations
Enjoy more positive moods
Have higher self-esteem and self-worth
In addition, benefits such as improved thinking skills, reduced risk of depression, increased productivity and a strengthened immune system are positive mental and physical impacts that senior socialization can bring!
What are some ways for seniors to improve their social wellness?
Some easy ways for seniors to improve their social wellness include:
Engage with your community. The interaction between friends and acquaintances can help put pep in your step and help seniors feel more connected to the world around them.
Stay in touch with friends and family. Whether this is through cards, phone calls, visits or even social media, staying connected with the people we love can help combat feelings of loneliness.
Get to know yourself. Becoming connected with your memories, values and faith can help bring a sense of peace to seniors’ lives as they grow older.
Indulge in self-care. Being able to continue to do the things that you love to do – whether that is enjoying a walk around the neighborhood, cuddling a special animal or reading favorite books – can help you get in touch with the feelings of self-worth that you hold dear.
Plan regular visits or lunch dates with friends or family to make sure that you have a standing occasion that you will be committed to seeing someone that you care about, nurturing those relationships and feeling good about your interactions.
How can seniors celebrate Social Wellness Month?
For July’s Social Wellness Month, there are a variety of ways that you can improve your social well-being! To begin, nurture the relationships that you already have, and actively pursue new relationships with new friends, neighbors and those you see on a regular basis. Simply asking about someone else’s day can bring joy to both your life and theirs!
When possible, seniors should engage in hobbies and extracurricular activities. Join a game club, coffee chat meetup, book club or exercise class. Working your mind and body among other people who are pursuing the same goals is a great way to keep physically and mentally active. If you don’t currently have any active hobbies, now is the best time to strike up new interests and become interested in new ways to enjoy your days!
Another way to support holistic well-being for seniors is to develop a healthy daily routine that combines well-balanced meals with activity to support your physical and mental health. Doing these things will help support social well-being. When you feel good, you can connect with people in better ways.
How does Tutera support social wellness in their communities?
At Tutera Senior Living & Health Care, we believe each resident should receive support for their physical, emotional and intellectual needs. This approach to health and wellness treats the whole person and makes their experience at Tutera as unique as they are. Through individualized wellness programs, each resident’s care plan is created with an integrated approach to health, focusing on one-on-one services and the wants and needs of that particular resident.
The conveniences and amenities found at Tutera Senior Living communities are designed to bring joy and engagement to the lives of the residents. Social, educational and recreational events keep everyone busy and create options for residents to build a life they love. Options for activities include:
Arts and crafts
Libraries and book clubs
Happy hours
Coffee bars
Restaurant-style dining
Fitness centers and exercise classes
Movie nights
Spas
Pools
Interested in learning more about Tutera Senior Living? You can use our community finder tool to locate a community near you. Or call us today with any questions about our communities, our amenities or our care!
