A UK-based website, Fab Over Fifty, has released that the days of elders over 60 becoming lonely and aging too quickly are gone. They get to be the ‘Why Not’ generation.
According to recent research by Camping in the Forest, more and more people over 60 are embracing socializing & nights out. Not only is it a lot of fun, but it has other benefits too
Recent reports show that socializing in your 60s can prevent symptoms of dementia as early as age 70. There are also links between good friendships and other positive relationships and better mental health.
Social lives are important regardless of age but can be more challenging for the older generations. The tips below will help you make friends & have the robust social life you desire over 60 years old.
Be genuinely interested in people.
One of the secrets to being a great conversationalist is to be genuinely interested in your conversational partner. If you are truly interested in what they have to say, you will ask probing questions and engage with them in conversation.
Embrace Social Media
If you have not already, we recommend signing up for social media. There are many social media websites that can connect you with old friends & give you the ability to interact with people from around the globe.
Social media can also be a great way to find people with shared interests and make new discoveries. For example, if you want to get involved in a more community-based group, join the Prime Women Facebook group or nursery!
Join a Club, Society, or Group
Finding people with similar interests is hard. A good way to do this is to either pursue a hobby or join clubs, societies, or groups related to the hobby. You can use sites like Meetup for online groups, or go in person for local ones.
For example, libraries often have book clubs, sporting goods stores may host running or walking clubs that you can join, and local farmer’s markets may be hosting gardening or community garden groups.
There are some local shops that offer knitting classes and let you purchase knitting supplies as well. You can also find others to knit with, who go to a set time each week.
There you can find a lot of cool and interesting opportunities that’ll work for you. Not only can joining a club help you meet people, but it’s also a way to get outside and stay active.
Have an Open Mind
It’s hard to tell if you and someone are friends or not when you don’t seem like you have any similarities, but don’t rule it out. You might not notice some of their qualities.
Even though you might not have anything in common with someone who is 20-something or with different experience levels than you, if you’ve joined any interest groups, then you can say that at least there are some topics that are the same for both of us.
Instead of focusing on the differences you’ve experienced, think about what you have in common. Whether that’s your work or giving back to your community, it’s the things that unite people rather than burden them–that are important.
Community Living
As people age, it can be hard to keep up with household tasks and stay active in one’s spare time. It also gets incredibly lonely.
A great way to keep a social life is to live in a community. Communities have lots of programs and events that are held within walking distance, making it possible for you to get out & about on the weekends
Activities are designed with an eye to ensuring that people of all ages are included. Younger and older people are part of the same community, so it is important that they commit to creating social connections among themselves.
If you find that living independently and performing routine tasks is getting harder day by day, you might want to consider moving into a retirement facility. This facility will provide numerous opportunities. You’ll have the choice of different activities, group outings during the week, and tasty meals at set times each day.
Volunteer or Work Part-Time
Whether it’s a local soup kitchen, church event, or school library— simply volunteering and working to improve these places in your community can make you feel more engaged with the area around you. In addition to giving you a sense of purpose, getting involved will provide valuable hands-on experience and the opportunity to interact with new people.
Volunteering not only makes you feel appreciated and good about yourself, but it also feels good to know that you are contributing to society by helping others who can’t help themselves. This work is not only rewarding directly; volunteering opens up opportunities for new skills, learning, and making connections.
Previously, volunteering used to offer more flexibility. It’s true that you now have the freedom to set your own schedule if you find a job through the many openings available these days.
Having a part-time job will give you an opportunity to meet new people, as well as give you a little extra money that would otherwise be spent on food or toiletries.
