How to stay connected with others

As we age, it can sometimes be hard to stay connected with others. Whether it's life changes like retiring, moving, or needing more at-home care, it’s common to experience social life changes.

In order to the help your loved ones combat feelings of isolation and loneliness, it’s important to help them find new ways of making connections and getting involved in social activities.

The importance of social connection

Unfortunately, loneliness can be common in older people. A survey of almost 5000 senior Australians found 41 percent said they feel lonely often or some of the time. 21 percent said they have none or little of the love or friendship they want.

There is evidence that social isolation and loneliness can lead to worse health outcomes and lower levels of wellbeing. According to Beyond Blue, lonely people are more likely to:

1. Report symptoms of depression

2. Be admitted to hospital more frequently

3. Have double the rate of obesity

4. Have higher blood pressure and greater risk of heart attack

Loneliness doesn’t have to become an inevitable part of growing older. Research shows people can recover from loneliness. Taking part in activities that increase social connection can help.

Those with strong social connections:

How to increase social connections

Friendships and social connection are critically important to ageing well. The first step is to think about your loved one’s social circle. Do they have contacts in their life that they’re not connecting with or networks that they haven’t tapped into?

Start by helping them map out their social network. Consider connections they made at different times of their life, connections they’ve made through friends or family members and contacts from their local area.

Are there people they haven’t caught up with lately or who they’ve lost touch with? Are there any existing relationships they could strengthen or past friendships they could reactivate?

Clubs and activities

Once they’ve considered their existing social network, think about ways to meet new friends. If you’re hunting for something that is low impact and easy to access, there are plenty of options out there. Consider what they’ll enjoy most – are they sporty, or more into gardening or crafts – as well as the level of mobility required.

For those struggling with physical impairments, simply getting out of the house will be enough to challenge them. Those who are more mobile might want to take part in something that keeps them on their feet for an extended period.

No matter what they do, the most important thing is the social connections that are made, as opposed to the number of steps taken or calories burned.

Ten activites to get started

Do any of these sound like they would fit the bill?

1. Sports programs - When you get older, it’s important to do some form of physical activity every day. Joining a sports program dedicated to older people is a great way to get low-impact exercises while also meeting like-minded people.

2. Probus - Probus is a worldwide organisation that started back in 1965 for retired and semi-retired professionals. In Australia, Probus clubs comprise of over-55s who usually meet monthly for a couple of hours. These meetings often feature a special guest speaker or activities, cruises, trips, picnics, events, fundraisers and get-togethers. Search for your local one here.

3. The Men’s Shed - This is a not-for-profit organisation where blokes come together to work on a range of projects while speaking about what’s on their mind. With over 1,000 ‘sheds’ across Australia, members do everything from making furniture to restoring bikes and fixing lawn mowers. If you’re concerned your dad might be struggling with life post-retirement, this is a great place to start.

4. Studying - For those who haven’t lost their love of learning, Open Universities and the University of the Third Age (U3A) offer various courses. Open Universities Australia allows you to enrol in universities entirely online. It’s perfect for those living in more rural areas and those who aren’t able to travel to and from a physical campus.

5. Sing Australia - This national organisation has 150 groups around Australia. No matter the quality of your set of pipes, you can join Sing Australia without an audition. It’s perfect for someone who loves to sing, but wouldn’t be winning any karaoke competitions anytime soon! Find your local group here.

6. Crafting - From crochet to scrapbooks, crafting is ideal for someone who is feeling creative and wants to create a keepsake. Get onto Facebook or visit your local community centre to see what’s available. There’ll be groups that suit those more experienced crafters, and those wanting to try something out for the first time.

7. Gardening - With over 600 clubs throughout Australia, Garden Clubs of Australia is an umbrella organisation to get involved with. Otherwise, check around to see if there is a community garden to join and meet like-minded lovers of the outdoors.

8. Tai Chi - This sport is becoming more popular in Australia. Tai Chi is a great way to meet new people and also get in some low-impact exercise that’ll keep joints and muscles happy. Often referred to as ‘meditation in motion’, Tai Chi is an activity that combines awareness of the body, mindfulness, visualisation and relaxation.

9. Volunteering - Social activities can also include giving back to the local community through volunteering with a charity or organisation that you care about. This could be anything from Australian Red Cross to working with a wildlife organisation that helps rehabilitate local animals. The opportunities are endless, as is the rewarding feeling you’ll get afterwards! Want some inspiration? Visit Volunteering Australia for ideas.

10. Museum and gallery group tours - For those with an interest in arts and culture, museums like the National Gallery of Victoria run group tours throughout the day. These can be led by volunteers who share that passion for the arts.