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Ageless connections: Power of socialising for the elderly
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Ageless connections: Power of socialising for the elderly

Apart from enhancing emotional well-being, socialising can help the elderly keep common ailments under control while improving balance and mobility
Socialising in elderly can help them keep common ailments under control while improving balance and mobility
Photo by Anantha Subramanyam K/Happiest Health

As one ages, social circles tend to shrink and the elderly often find themselves spending more time alone. Social isolation does not just affect mental health of senior citizens – it also takes a toll on their physical well-being. Thus, benefits of socialising for the elderly are aplenty.

“It is much easier to socialise in a workplace. So, chances of social isolation increase when you leave your job or retire,” says Dr Prasad Rao G, a geriatric psychiatrist in Asha Hospital, Hyderabad. He stresses on the need to mingle with peers even post-retirement. Socialising is a sign of overall wellbeing, experts say.

Why socialising gets difficult for the elderly?

Socialising is essential for building new relationships, maintaining a sense of purpose and belonging. However, it gets difficult to maintain a social life as one gets older, says Dr Henal Shah, a professor in department of Psychiatry at Nair Hospital, Mumbai.

The reasons for difficulty in maintaining a social life include:

  • Loss of identity: Many people devote their lives to working for a living. So, when retirement comes around the corner, there is a sudden loss of identity and belonging.
  • Loss of friends and family: Losing friends, death of a spouse or children moving out makes the elderly lose a vital social segment of their lives, leading to a small social circle.
  • Loss of resources: Ageing brings about reduced mobility due to common ailments (like loss of eyesight or hearing) and lesser finances. “One may find it difficult to visit relatives and friends or go to social outings like they used to,” explains Dr Shah.

Social isolation is also a symptom of depression, says Dr Santosh Bangar, a geriatric psychiatrist in Global Hospitals, Mumbai. “It is imperative to know if social isolation signifies a mental condition,” he says.

Benefits of socialising on your health

A Harvard study done for over 80 years found that people who fostered healthy social relationships lived longer and happier. “The surprising finding is that our relationships and how happy we are in those relationships has a powerful influence on our health,” says Robert Waldinger, director of the study and a professor at Harvard Medical School.

“You need to connect with people to give you a sense of purpose in life. A touch, a hug or even quietly sitting together with someone is vital to maintain bonds,” says Dr Shah.

Socialising happens even when you take a walk together or join a pilates or yoga class. Besides having a positive effect on one’s emotional well-being, it also helps to keep common ailments like high blood pressure and sugar levels in the elderly under control, says Dr Bangar.

He further says that there is reduced incidence of fall when people have suitable muscle strength. “Being outdoors will also give them the daily dose of vitamin D. It also leads to better sleep quality and helps improve balance, muscle strength, and mobility.”

Lack of socialising in the elderly during pandemic

With social distancing measures in place due to the pandemic, the elderly population had to isolate themselves from the outside world. This led to heightened feelings of loneliness. “One needs to be socially connected, whether it is online or in person,” says Dr Bangar.

Lakhimi Bhuyan (75), a home maker from Assam, is the most social person in her locality who loves talking to people. She actively visits the namghar (community space of worship in Assam) and is a member of the local senior citizen committee and ladies club. “I visit friends’ houses regularly and talk to them for hours,” she mentions adding that she likes to meet her acquaintances often.

“When I was stuck at home during the pandemic, I could neither eat nor sleep properly. I felt so ill that I could not even get up from my bed. Later, I was diagnosed with anxiety,” shares Bhuyan. She firmly believes that she has to mingle and talk to be healthy as it turns out to be therapeutic.

How can the elderly remain social?

Experts Happiest Health spoke to mention the following ways in which senior citizens can maintain an active social life:

  • Engaging in community activities: Bhuyan keeps herself engaged with various community activities like cleaning the streets of her locality. Participating in community festivals can foster strong social bonds, says Dr Rao.
  • Joining different social groups: One can start socialising by visiting places of worship, joining laughter clubs, exercise classes (like yoga or dance), music therapy classes and various other elderly clubs. “Even supermarkets can be a great place to socialise,” explains Dr Rao.

Takeaways

  • Social circles tend to shrink as one ages. However, there are a plenty of benefits of socialising in the elderly.
  • Besides improved emotional well-being, socialising through walking can keep common elderly ailments like high blood pressure and sugar levels under control, while improving balance and mobility.
  • Elderly people can participate in community activities and join various clubs (like walking groups) to maintain an active social life.

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