Keeping a full social life as we age is difficult. Generally speaking older people don’t make new friends as easily as younger people, mainly due to decreased chances to socialise. Difficulty in getting out an about, a naturally decreasing social circle due to deaths, and various other factors all conspire to make socialising a little harder for the elderly.
Lots of evidence shows that being socially active is of real importance for old people especially as it actively helps stave off depression, a condition that the elderly are particularly at risk of developing. It makes sense, after all we’re social creatures and even those of us who are more lone wolf than pack leader have those special people around us that bring us joy and meaning.
Here are four activities that are particularly good for keeping elderly people socialising.
1. Bowls. Having to join any kind of club is great for socialising, because it puts you in contact with other people with a shared interest. Bowls is a natural choice for the elderly because it’s a low impact activity, so it’s good for keeping them moving without stressing the body. Because of its sedate pace, the game also encourages interaction while waiting to take your turn. Bowls clubs also often have a social calendar with events put on in the club house for members to attend.
2. Gardening Club. If competition isn’t your thing, but you love to spend time in your garden then this is perfect. Gardening clubs will help you indulge your love of greenery with other plant lovers, which means conversation is going to be easy. Clubs also tend to have competitions and also work on community projects such as vegetable patches and flower displays which encourage interaction.
3. Board Games. If you don’t want to get your hands dirty then playing board games with friends is a great choice. Most games require strong memory skills as well as tactics and strategic thinking, all of which give your brain a great workout. Banter is a natural part of board games, as both innocent social interaction and sneaky gamesmanship. There are clubs in communities for chess, draughts, backgammon and many other games, so they offer a great opportunity to meet new people.
4. Dancing. Attending dance classes is fantastic for the elderly on many levels. For most classes you’ll need a partner and conversation will occur naturally. The physical contact in dancing is also known to have a positive benefit for people’s mood. Dancing is also great for your body as it elevated your heart rate and also improves muscle tone. When it comes to all round wellbeing, it’s hard to beat a dance class.
This article was provided by Hallmark Care Homes.
