In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an unusual advisory focused on the epidemic of isolation and loneliness. In the report, he emphasized that social connection and community are not just “feel-good” factors, but vital for avoiding the harmful consequences of a disconnected society.
While we might assume this issue primarily affects teens and young adults, loneliness is also a growing concern for seniors. As people age, their social circles often shrink. Siblings, friends and spouses may pass, children might move away from home as they establish their careers and build their own families, or a senior might stop driving for safety reasons and end up staying home more often.
As a result, many seniors become homebound, especially during the dog days of summer when it’s uncomfortable to be outside or during winter, when ice and cold make heading outside risky – no one wants to risk a fall that could lead to injury or hospitalization.
If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that being alone for long periods of time can be difficult. In fact, physicians say loneliness can lead to depression, while opportunities to socialize can improve mood, cognition and even physical health.
Several recent studies reinforce this point, including one from Colorado’s Anschutz Medical campus. The Anschutz study followed a group of more than 600 seniors from 2011 through 2019. The researchers observed the seniors before and after moving into a senior living community. They found marked improvement among senior living residents, who were more likely to do five things:
- Visit with family or friends
- Go out for enjoyment
- Attend religious services
- Participate in clubs or activities
- Volunteer
These five activities, along with daily interactions such as chatting with a neighbor in the hallway or sharing a meal, help reduce the loneliness that often builds when living alone.
Many senior living communities also offer opportunities to learn new skills. Whether listening to an educational talk, working on a craft, or trying a new language, these challenges not only benefit overall health but also foster social connection through shared experiences.
A recently released University of California Riverside study reinforced this insight. The researchers, while tracking seniors during the pandemic, found that seniors who engaged in new and sometimes challenging activities during COVID times – as awful as they were – gained new resilient traits. “Learning new skills is frustrating at first, especially if you haven’t done it in a while,” the study’s author said. “But if we only do what feels good in the moment, we might be giving up the ability to adapt when life throws something big at us.”
At Sopris Lodge at Carbondale Senior Living, we support our residents’ interests and well-being in so many ways. From restaurant-style dining and a relaxed bistro setting to clubs, group activities, entertainment and weekly outings, there are always opportunities to connect, learn and grow. Our wellness and fitness programs and intergenerational activities create even more points of contact.
To learn more about Sopris Lodge at Carbondale Senior Living’s wellness programs and activities that help keep loneliness at bay, call us at 970-678-0057 or visit us online at soprislodge.com. Our Facebook page is also another great place to sample what life at our senior lifestyle community is all about.
