The Power of Friendship for Older Adults
Through good times and challenging ones, having the support of friends can make all the difference. As we age, the bonds of friendship are even more powerful, providing a sense of belonging, social connection and a positive impact on our health and well-being.
According to a University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging survey, 90% of people aged 50 and older reported that they have at least one close friend, with 48% having up to 3 close friends. The majority of adults in this age range with a close friend noted that they can definitely count on their close friends to provide support in discussing their health.
Friendships are important to the wellbeing of older adults. Thinking of the friends you have had over the years, it is easy to understand the ways that these connections have enriched your life, including:
- Lowering your stress
- Boosting your sense of confidence
- Elevating happiness
- Create a sense of connection
- Guiding you through difficult times like illness, relationship challenges or family crisis
- Improved health including helping to lessen stress, depression and high blood pressure
Between the ages of 65-74, there is a time of profound transition, marked by life events like retiring, loss of loved ones, changing social roles and health concerns that involve mobility and wellness. Our friends serve as touchpoints to ground us. Whether we are bound by common interests or by longtime roots, our social bonds are instrumental in staying vibrant. While older adults ponder the next steps for their future, friendships help to give us a sense of purpose and support to try new things.
Reigniting friendships and making new connections is possible at every age. There are ways to expand your social circle and grow your network of friends. Here are some simple tips to start building your social circle:
- Nurture your current friends by making a call, sending a text or mailing a card to let them know that you are thinking of them.
- Miss a friend who you haven’t seen in awhile? Reach out and reconnect today.
- Introduce yourself to your neighbors. It’s never too late to say hello.
- Invite a new friend or a longtime friend to have coffee. Catching up feels good.
- Search for events in your neighborhood or community that pique your interest. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
- Accept invitations that you receive, even if it gives you butterflies. It’s normal to be nervous.
CarePatrol honors the power of friendship every day. With our three-part discovery process, we get to know a person’s preferences, location desires, and activities that bring them joy to find senior care options that are a good match just for them. By vetting our communities personally, we are able to lessen the stress of navigating this process so older adults can thrive and their families are able to have peace of mind that their loved one is safe.