Friends can bring a lot of joy, happiness, and love into our lives. Sometimes they offer a shoulder to cry on, and other times they are the people we want to celebrate and make happy memories with. For many people, friends, or companions, can seem like just someone that you highly value in your life. However, they can bring about many unseen changes that you might not be aware of. Here is more on the power of friendships in old age.
Friendships Boost Physical Health
Friendships bring value to people of all ages, however, they are exceptionally important for older adults. Research has shown that maintaining quality friendships can lead to positive effects on physical and mental health even as we age. It has been shown to lower the probability of contracting diseases as well as being able to significantly boost a person’s immune system. On top of this, having friends can be a strong motivating factor for living a healthier life like eating better or staying more active.
Friendships Are Able To Help Individuals Feel Better
On top of that, friendships also trigger a series of psychological benefits for older adults. In studies that were conducted on older women, those who were able to have meaningful social engagements with family and friends reported being happier even as they age. This is corroborated by studies where people feel more independent and have a high perception of self-worth when they have friends as compared to those who have less.
Different Types Of Friendships
There are many different types of friendships that go beyond the common definition. A neighbor, family member, grandchild, or even a pet can also be a significant form of companionship and friendship that stimulates these kinds of positive effects. In fact, many dogs have been trained to become therapy or emotional support dogs in order to help seniors feel more relaxed and happy.
Form Meaningful Friendships at The Summit by Discovery Senior Living
Many older adults have to deal with social isolation or loneliness as their spouses pass or when their children grow up and leave the nest. While it might be possible these days to contact people via video call or other online platforms, it can be tough for older adults to get used to technology.
Here at The Summit by Discovery Senior Living, we create many opportunities for the residents in our senior living community to form long-lasting friendships and relationships with their neighbors. This is done through our exclusive senior living programs where there are fun and exciting events and activities that take place each day. On top of being able to meet new like-minded individuals, we also ensure that you will be able to more easily meet up with the others in your life with our Connections Transportation services where you can enjoy complimentary chauffeured rides.
For more information on our different programs, housing options, or amenities, contact our senior living coordinators by filling in this online form or by calling us at 302.219.0018.
