Social Connections
Content Courtesy of the Forever Young Podcast with Christiana Egi and Cherrie-Marie Chiu.
Due to the unfortunate events of the COVID-19 global pandemic, many have become socially isolated by staying at home for months and months on end. Self-isolation can get very overwhelming (and boring), especially when there is so much uncertainty about what the future holds. For seniors and individuals that suffer from mental health disorders, isolation can have the worst effects. Fortunately, the slow re-opening of businesses and the outside world has allowed many to feel their confidence coming back, and emotions of depression begin diminishing. In this week’s Forever Young Podcast with Christiana Egi and Cherrie-Marie Chiu, they explore the significance of social connectedness for all people. Listen to the full episode below or keep reading to find out more about our conversation about the importance of social connections!
As mentioned earlier, these important factors apply especially to seniors, as they have the most difficulty adjusting to the new “normal”. Social connections are crucial and beneficial for seniors, as they play a massive role in their mental, physical, phycological, and emotional well-being. Specifically, social connections have numerous health benefits including improved cognitive function, better self-esteem, providing a sense of belonging in maintaining a purposeful life.
At Alexis Lodge, however, seniors are much less likely to face the negative effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought upon us. Unlike most other retirement homes, Alexis Lodge serves as a family-run home. Therefore, during this hard time, residents were able to still partake in activities and resume life as usual. They also can stay connected with their loved ones through technology, such as FaceTime and text updates. These factors have kept seniors busy with usual activities that would benefit their mind, body, and soul. At Alexis Lodge, it is not uncommon for staff members to participate in daily excitements such as dancing and singing.
As for the rest of us, technology offers the same benefits for our social standpoints. As we age, we begin to lose friends due to life changes, illness, and death, but the friendships we are left with are the truest strongest ones that make us happy. Time stands still in true friendships, although you may not see each other as often as you would like, it is easy to pick up right where you left off when you are reconnected. Technology also plays a big role when maintaining social connections with friends and family. It allows us to connect with whomever, at any time. Christiana mentions how crucial it is to act as what she calls an ‘influencer friend’. Anyone can do this, by influencing friends to get outside and stay active. We need our friends to encourage us to do good things, eat healthily, and get outside. While returning the favor and encouraging your friends to do the same, you are taking part in strengthening your social connectedness.
This week we talked about social connections between seniors and younger individuals, and how they can really benefit both parties. Social relationships between seniors and younger individuals allow seniors to feel and accomplish a sense of purpose, as these social engagements allow seniors to have a better cognitive function and fewer physical limitations. Social connections promote healthy aging as they eliminate loneliness and social isolation, which is extremely important as loneliness and isolation can result in cognitive and physical decline and induce anxiety and depression. Social connections between seniors and younger individuals give younger people an advantage as well as they can learn and gain a sense of wisdom through elder’s life experiences, also teaching younger people a sense of responsibility, respect, and sensitivity that is crucial today. Social connections also increase seniors' cognitive stimulation and broaden their social circle, especially if younger individuals introduce them to social media, and they can virtually make social connections.
Let’s talk about some ways that you can ensure you are keeping in touch with loved ones, to maintain healthy social connections. The first one is looking for associations or groups in your neighbourhood that you can join. Whether it's a cultural group or a local senior group, this is an amazing way to meet other people with similar interests and maintain personal connections with others.
Another way you can ensure that you are maintaining social connections is by using social media. In today’s digital society, we are blessed with social media platforms that allow us to connect with loved ones, no matter how far away they are. Often many people feel that they are too caught up in everyday life to maintain social connections, and Cherrie explains that there are definitely ways around this. She suggests calling a friend to chat while doing routine activities, such as going for a walk or doing chores. She also emphasizes the importance of making plans and setting dates, to ensure that social connections are actually happening as often as they should be.
And finally, you should always Reach out to your friends and make sure they’re okay, especially if they’ve been distant. With the recent pandemic, individuals are mentally struggling now more than ever. If a friend is struggling with mental health, it is crucial that you check in with them, and strongly encourage them to seek help, especially now as this is our second pandemic winter and seasonal depression vastly impacts numerous people. I hope this encouraged our readers and listeners to reach out to loved ones and partake in daily social connections. It is crucial to our mental, physical, and psychological health that we find the time in our busy schedules to make meaningful social connections with our loved ones!
*The Forever Young podcast is created and produced by Christiana and Cherrie Marie Chiu. Produced and engineered by Elisse Hill. The podcast represents our opinions and those of our guests. The content should not be taken as medical advice. It is for informational purposes only. Please consult your health care professional for any medical questions. If you like our show, please tell your friends and leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts. New episodes are available every other Wednesday. Have questions? Email us at ourforeveryoungpodcast@gmail.com.
