Social Connection and Health: Why Staying in Touch Really Matters
How to Nurture Interaction That Fosters Wellbeing
Benefits Beyond Friendship
We all know that having friends is fun and enjoyable. But friendships and social connections—even those with acquaintances—can also keep us healthy. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy highlights the importance of attending to our social wellbeing in his book, Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World. Dr. Murthy notes that loneliness threatens both our physical and mental health, leading to elevated risk for depression, anxiety, heart disease, and dementia.
An American Epidemic
A 2023 report entitled, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation” from the office of Dr. Murthy notes that some 60% of Americans consistently struggle with loneliness. The National Poll on Healthy Aging reports that older adults in particular suffer from infrequent social contact and feelings of social isolation and lack of companionship. According to Dr. Murthy, human connection is so important that we should recognize feelings of loneliness as natural signs, like hunger and thirst.
Why Connection Matters
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic explain that chronic mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and an increased risk of suicide are associated with loneliness. Additionally, social isolation, loneliness, and poor social relationships contribute to an increased risk of premature death, dementia, heart disease, and stroke.
A quote from geriatrician, internist, and palliative care specialist Amit A. Shah, MD, of the Mayo Clinic illustrates the link between social connection and health in a profound way:
Over many years of taking care of older patients, I’ve learned that the factors many people think are most important for aging well — such as having longevity in your family or lack of physical illnesses — do not guarantee a positive experience with getting older. It’s the quality, duration and nature of your relationships that seem to matter most.
“Like Exercise for Your Brain”
Dr. Shah says the benefits of social interaction include “cognitive flexibility.” An article in the scientific journal Trends in Neurosciences defines cognitive flexibility as “the readiness with which one can selectively switch between mental processes to generate appropriate behavioral responses.”
According to Dr. Shah, interacting with others is one of the best ways to improve cognitive flexibility, generating more beneficial responses in the brain than crossword puzzles or other types of games that promote brain stimulation.
Overcoming Barriers to Connection
Hearing Loss
According to the Mayo Clinic, hearing loss is one of the most frequent causes of social isolation: it’s difficult to have a conversation and engage socially if we can’t hear. Additionally, we are no longer engaging the brain with auditory stimuli when we have trouble hearing. It is not surprising, therefore, that failing to correct hearing loss leads to higher incidence of cognitive decline and dementia.
A study by the National Institutes of Health published in August 2023, noted two significant findings:
- Hearing aids reduce the rate of cognitive decline in older adults at high risk of dementia by almost 50% over a three-year period
- Treating hearing loss may be a safe way to lower the risk of dementia in vulnerable populations
Dr. Shah of the Mayo Clinic adds that hearing aid use extends longevity and life expectancy, explaining that hearing loss can make someone less likely to engage in life experiences and activities, causing them to become more homebound. Resulting muscle loss from less activity increases the risk of falls, fractures, and overall poor health outcomes.
Reduced Social Participation
An article in the peer-reviewed journal The Public Library of Science entitled Barriers to Social Participation among Lonely Older Adults: The Influence of Social Fears and Identity, noted several factors inhibiting social interaction:
- Illness and disability
- Loss of family and friends
- Loss of community
- Perceived lack of opportunities for social interaction
Fear of rejection often leads older adults, particularly those who have come to define themselves as “alone,” to avoid social situations. Finding ways to overcome these self-defined views is critical to maintaining health and wellness.
Making Small Changes
Recognizing and acknowledging feelings of loneliness is a helpful first step to making incremental progress toward a healthier level of interaction. Dr. Shah of the Mayo Clinic encourages seniors to continue nurturing current relationships and seek to grow new ones. He suggests making a plan—and sticking with it—for staying in touch with friends and family by calling, emailing, or interacting on social media.
Additional suggestions for gradually expanding a plan for increased social interaction include the following:
- Seek out ways to increase interaction, even casual, with others
- Re-think an “identity” of being a loner, realizing that even limited social engagement brings health benefits
- Spend time with people at sporting events, religious services, plays, and concerts
- Look for activities to engage in with others, such as game or card nights and exercise classes
- Use technology to create connection with distant family members or friends via Zoom or Facetime
- Spend time with others who share your interests by taking a class, enjoying a walk, going birding, or taking photos together
- Give back to your community by volunteering at a local school, charity, or civic or faith-based organization
- Adopt a homeless pet or volunteer at your local animal shelter
- Make it a point to talk to strangers when shopping or at appointments
Seeking Innovative Solutions
A 2020 article in the online publication AARP Research exploring the positive impact of intergenerational friendships notes that nearly 40% of adults have a close friend at least 15 years older or younger. Australian researchers Simionato et al. explored this topic in a 2023 study pairing adolescents and seniors in an exploratory program with encouraging results.
The researchers chose to pair these two groups, recognizing that limited social connectedness in older adults is a risk factor for poor physical and mental health and isolated adolescents are at risk for depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The researchers found that organized programs with trained facilitators building relationships though shared purpose was the most effective in creating these positive outcomes:
- Broadening perspectives of all participants
- Seniors acting as role models
- Boosting energy levels for all participants
- Making both friends—senior and teenager—feel valued
Intergenerational sporting, musical, faith-based, family, and community events provide less-structured environments but opportunities nonetheless for healthy communication between different age groups.
Being Proactive During Times of Transition
We all experience times in our lives that challenge our ability to interact socially. Transitions, in particular, can present difficulties for us because of the ways they change the patterns and routines of our lives.
Retirement
Retirement separates us from the nearly daily interaction with colleagues we have had for years. Anticipating this change and taking steps to meet former coworkers for lunch, an evening out, or a round of golf can keep us feeling “in the loop.” Filling our time with stimulating, rewarding volunteer service can also help us stay socially and cognitively engaged.
Moving
Moving out of state, downsizing, and leaving a long-familiar neighborhood can pose challenges by making us feel disconnected and isolated. Recognizing that this life change will challenge us to seek out new opportunities for friendship and social engagement will help us reconnect in our new home.
One of the many health and wellness advantages of a Continuing Care Retirement Community is the continuity of connection with friends, medical care, and campus life through life and health transitions without having to move off campus.
Loss of a Spouse
In an article entitled, Coping With Grief and Loss, the National Institute on Aging explains that the barrage of feelings when a spouse dies can seem overwhelming. Finding a support system based on social interaction, counseling, or shared experience can help facilitate healing and ease deeply complicated feelings of grief.
Promoting Social Cohesion
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services, recognizes the devastating effects of social isolation and loneliness, and has included “social cohesion” in its recommendations for older adults. Defined as “strong relationships and a sense of solidarity within a group,” social cohesion has been proven to positively affect health.
Research published in June 2024 by the University of Chicago notes that older adults who live in senior living communities benefit from health and wellness advantages over those who live in the community at large. Opportunities for socialization are among the many reasons senior communities provide these health benefits.
Learn More About Living Well
Come explore Plymouth Harbor and learn more about this extraordinary community where fun times together and enjoying life on the waterfront is a daily celebration! Call 941-361-7512 to schedule your private tour and discover why life truly is better on Sarasota Bay