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Relationships are vital for seniors in maintaining a vibrant life, but they can become increasingly difficult as we grow older. Friends and family relocate and pass away, we may be stressed with caregiving responsibilities, and medical issues can arise. Regardless of age, close relationships remain critical for our physical, mental and emotional health. Social isolation and loneliness can increase the risk of mortality, falls, and re-hospitalization among older adults.
What can you do to stay engaged and active as you grow older?
•Volunteer: Freely offering your time and skills can decrease social isolation and feelings of loneliness. This experience is an opportunity to channel energy and challenges into something constructive and meaningful.
•Get Involved: Join a local committee, civic organization, or become active in your neighborhood association and city council. Get political and advocate for a cause.
•Prioritize Engagement: Recognize that your mental health and well-being is equally as important as your physical health. Say yes to invitations, and be open to meeting different people from all walks of life. Your new friend could be younger or older than you. Cultivate a positive, curious outlook, and don’t be afraid to strike up conversations.
•Keep Learning: Embracing learning helps promote well-being and create opportunities for socialization through classes and discussion. Many universities allow seniors to audit classes for free or for a reduced rate.
•Care for an Animal: Your new friend doesn’t have to live in your home. Walk dogs at an animal shelter or play with kittens, and chat with other animal-friendly volunteers.
•Adapt Social Technology: Learn about social media/technology so that you can connect with new people online, friends and family, and join Meetup Groups.
•Become a Great Listener: Sincerely listening to someone can be rare. Be a good listener and fully take in what someone is sharing with you. Truly listening leads to valuable friendships.
•Take Part in Activities at the Local Library/Join a Book Club: Libraries often a wide range of fun classes, speakers, and clubs for you to choose from.
•It Takes a Village: Join a Village near you that supports aging in the community- connect with the national Village to Village Network.
•Faith Communities: Contact local churches, synagogues, and other religious organizations as they offer activities and opportunities for socialization.
•Pursue your Passions: Encouraging hobbies and activities is crucial to remaining engaged in the everyday. What do you love to do? Pursue it, and this will spark conversations with like-minded people.
Remaining curious about the world, about learning, and about others is a powerful way to stay engaged. Seniors who venture out of their comfort zones, take risks, and try activities they never attempted before are less likely to succumb to the negative effects of social isolation and loneliness. The next time you are feeling lonely, try taking one small step. You can do it.
https://seniorplanet.org///meetup.com
https://seniorplanet.org//createthegood.org
Biography: Sherry Saturno is the Executive Director of Gramatan Village. She is dually licensed as a Nursing Home Administrator and Clinical Social Worker, and holds Master’s degrees from Columbia and Long Island Universities. She is a Fellow at the National Academies of Practice, and graduated from a national fellowship at NYU Silver School of Social Work. She is the host and producer of Reimagine Aging Podcast, and wrote and produced a short documentary film, Human Investment.
COMMENTS
37 responses to “Never too Old For New Friends”
Hi my name is Louie Corrigan I am a 63yo male I am no oil painting in my looks, I have loads of female friends who are the same age as me, I have female friends younger than me, and they all know I am not interested in them for dating they all said the same thing about me they can tell me anything,and I don’t pass on what they tell me most of all that I am a good listener who they know I would not judge them, because every one of them could walk pass me,undressed a still be chat to me and I don’t bat a eye lid because they don’t turn me on,i don’t fancy them,i don’t find them attractive, in the other hand, if she aged 70 year old, her once firm, tight body, is wrinkled,or she as sagging breasts, her body also sagging, her hair is grey or going grey, or she had a blue rinse, single,married,divorced,skinny,plump, few extra pounds,widow,disabled, in a love less marrage, or sexless marrage, her husband keep tell them that are no longer attracted to them,or that no man would want to take her out on a date or want to have a sexual date because she 70 year old or older tell them to do one because I am a 100% genuine,honest,truthful, don’t tell lies, I am not a so call player,not or never will be interested in their money because I have my own, contact me Louie Corrigan a 63yo genuine male who will travel long term,regular, from Friday lunch time that the time I finish work spend all day and night sataday,all day& night sunday take her any were she want to go, evening kissing cuddling her caressing her, kiss every single inch of her body natural below waist, both friendship & a physical relationship, all I ask is
Is she one of the above,discreet if she want me to be,no problem kiss cuddling out with her friends,
My name is Richard, I’m 74, became a widower in May of 2000 after a storybook marriage – we were together 55 years (dated 8 years, then married for 47 years. I still have a strong libido and I am in good health. I’d like to have an intimate friendship with someone my age and honestly, I woid not care if she is married but would prefer not. My wife and I were open minded and loved the lifestyle, and older swingers are not easy to connect with. There are so many websites out there but I haven’t connected with anyone yet that appeals to me. I guess I that makes me a wood-be male fuckbuddy looking for a female fuckbuddy, for intimacy and friendship. Your thoughts ?
I’m 62 recently divorced man who has recently and luckily made one new friend. He is starting to become weary of me because I have been afraid to make any new friends. I don’t know why exactly I’m so afraid to make new friends. But I am. I freeze and feel overwhelmed and helpless inside. Simply reading all of the articles here and thinking about asking the world to consider me as a possible friend frightens me. Even when I was married I was the same way and I avoided making any of my own friends relying on my spouses friends for socializing. The last time I had a friend that I alone helped to create was when I was in high school. Now I’m terrified I’m never going to find true happiness and have friends who know, care, and maybe love me.
aI feel Exacly the same way!!!!!!
I’m an ex-pat English woman looking for a good, sincere, humorous female friend. I would like to move somewhere nearer the coast, the cost living in the desert has had its day. I do not know where or how to contact a place that will know of someone near the ocean for only social security. I have a dog and two elderly cats. I have no health issues other than my back, for which I get treatment. Is there a place for me at the coast or a fun friend. I’m 79, incredibly, but need a happier life. I am 120 miles from LA. If I could find somewhere with a washer and dryer of its own what heaven. My main objective is to leave a difficult relationship and find some peace. I lost my house and investments in the 2008 bank failures. Any suggestions on housing very welcome. I have no money for a fancy retirement community. Thank you.
To Margaret Castell,
I’m retired art instructor, widow,76 yrs young and looking for a comfortable, affordable place to live on the coast of Southern California, and can’t afford expensive retirement communities; considering roommate situation. Your message caught my attention and I thought it would be worth our time to communicate via emails. If you’re interested, please contact me at your convenience.
To Margaret Castell,
I’m retired art instructor, widow,76 yrs young and looking for a comfortable, affordable place to live on the coast of Southern California, and can’t afford expensive retirement communities; considering roommate situation. Your message caught my attention and I thought it would be worth our time to communicate via emails. If you’re interested, please contact me at your convenience.
Can anyone explain how we contact each other on this site as are not allowed to put e mails or phone numbers when replying. Am I missing something?
questions, please reach out to our Membership & Advocacy Manager at membership@seniorplanet.org or call 917-863-4658.
Hi everyone, I’m Charlene from SJersey wishing you all a good day. Like to chat with anyone as I also get lonely at times. Been a widow for 7 years and doing my best
I am a 68 year old female. Soon to be 69. I buried my husband 15 years ago. I have had no one but my one son since then.All my kids are in their 40’s. I think I have finally come alive .I am tired of being lonely. My husband would have said a long time ago life goes on after death. My kids and my friends all say go for it.
Hi
Hi how are you? My name is Ruth I live in Tx, where do you live
I’m very lonely to but I live in Sahuarita AZ. .
i am a senior female been alone now for nearly a year married for 60 years feeling pretty lost waiting to turn the page next chapter so to speak i am small in stature but big in heart i dont let the grass grow under my feet i love travel and music i.m talking 50tis 60tis music not classical i like reno work with property still got lots of idea,s dreams and asperations like to travel back to old blighty from whense i came some 40 years ago hoping to travel next spring is there anybody out there …….
Hi, I am young 78 yr old female who has been widowed for 3 years. Although I like being independent I miss having a companion to do things with.
I’m a single educated male and have spent my life single and could use someone to talk to and maybe cuddle nude and enjoy a little body warmth and contact something we all seem to need but I’ve lived without . We could chat and at least entertain each other perhaps enriching both of our lives if you would care to give it a try
Dallas
Hi! Where are you located, Janet? I would also like having someone to do things with.
I’m lonely and all my friends are dead and my son hates me. I would like to meet a friend to do things with. I live near Pittsburgh ( 28 miles South)
I am 68.
This aging alone doesn’t have to be lonely section has become close to a dating site . I have been looking for a place to meet platonic friends but everywhere I put on a profile I hear from malesxwho are looking for a partner. Even the sites claiming g to be for friendship are hardly so.
I’m a 74 man looking to met a nice Lady meet to do things with and just have some fun with.
You must also like my CAT She is a little Bobtail kitten named Grace. She is a wonderful little
kitty shy butt & Loving. If you don’t like my little kittens I Won’t like you. I’m sorry if this sounds
harsh but I’ve had her a for a long time now and won’t let anything come between us or anyone
that I’m a friend of and that includes you to. I’m old time and can’t do anything about it!!
Hi Charles. lm. Maureen l have a cat named Sooty. She. Is. The love of my life
I am a widow of 72 doing my best to suvid struggle with fiance need about 300 dollars. Extra each month to pay bills can’t stand long periods to work have health problem a. Just trying to do my best do any seniors out there have this problem
im 45 but have a lot of health issues and vision impairment so that getting around is very hard. i dont feel like its safe for me to drive. my kids are teens that although 2 still live with me are busy with school, jobs, and friends and im alone most of the time with no way to get out and dont have any friends because of some unusual circumstances involving religion that im no longer a member of. and a divorce almost a year ago and have had depression for most of my life. and i live in a rural area with no public transportation. i want friends and iget along with people but without mobility i cant connect with others and im desperate for help. im so unhappy right now and i dont know what to do.
Kara,
I’m sorry to hear about your situation.
Perhaps, an online forum will be helpful to you in that you may be able to talk with others there or find out about other online places, since it seems difficult for you to travel now. I don’t know if Facebook has such groups or not Maybe a chat forum – I don’t know that much about social media offerings, but I would recommend do some research using search engines. Also, maybe talking with a librarian – research librarians are at some libraries, I think – could be helpful along these lines.
I hope this is helpful.
Hi Kara
I’m quite a bit older than you, retired, have a mobility impairment so i don”t get to go out much without help. I still drive but don’t have enough strength to lift my wheelchair in/out of the trunk by myself and a walker is only good for short distances. Although I live with family I’m still lonely and get depressed a lot. I moved to a rural area many years ago and most of my friends still live in NYC. It’s almost impossible to make new friends when you’re confined to your home in the country. Regardless of what you read on line, finding friends on line is not easy. And, chatting with people on the internet isn’t the answer either. What’s needed are community club houses where people of all ages are welcomed to attend for socialization, coffee, games, luncheons, etc. Must towns have senior citizen centers that are opened a few hours a day but not everyone seeking friends are seniors. I wish you well.
I know this is late, but I hope you see it. First thought, find a ride service that can take you to Meet-ups. Most towns have Meet-ups…? Look on the internet. Another thought is to move to a condo in a town or city where there is public transportation. I had a year of disability around your age and I understand the loneliness when you can’t get out. I coldn’t move! Thought I’d lost my mind. My go-to philosophy was gratitude. As in “at least I am not a Syrian refugee…” Good luck to you…..
Kara.
Sad to read snout your health! I too, have multiple health conditions and am visually impaired with a rare eye disorder. Life is a challenge!
Go on-line to the Foundation For Fighting Blindness. Lots of info plus there are chapters in some cities that have meetings for support and events dealing with vision loss.
Rural living can be wonderful, however very hard when you have health problems!! How about friends to take you to doctor appts grocery stores? Sometimes , you can go online and find service groups that give rides to those that are visually impaired also adult education sometime have a visually impaired group for support, friendship and help .
Feeling alone and depressed seems to come with poor health and personal problems
It’s very overwhelming!!
Sincerely,
Teri
I wish there was more for small rural areas
I signed up for an android class and a class for stained glass.
Is that a tongue twist.
My first seven years of retirement was devoted to volunteering and helping those less fortunate than myself. When I relocated to Virginia, I promised myself that I would join a Pilates class and learn to line dance. Both are great for the mind, body and soul. And I have made lots of new friends.
Meeting new people and trying new hobbies is always good for anybody at any age.
If you’re lucky enough to live in a community that has an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) or other lifelong learning organization nearby, you’ll find opportunities for the first four on this list there. And all are great ways to make new friendships.
I would like to meet a man of my age group 50 years and older. Coloured or white
Hi. Im coloured, a male retired, in good health (i think). Enjoy country music. Nature, drives, all the free things in life.
Would like to meet new friends.
Take it from there.
Hello Valerie , I’m close enough to Your age group respectively speaking, being created the same year as The Chevy BelAir, 1956 ; and I might add a truly wonderful time to arrive in the world as the United States had just saved The World by winning WWll and avoiding a complete genocide worldwide had we not faced the music by the horns and set in gear a nation that exercised its sovereign right to protect and serve ourselves and all others woo stood for freedom regardless of their meager means and resources ! I didn’t mean to go off on a tang rant only to stipulate that we, the North Americans were in full celebration of the worst crisis ever to have presented itself from two world powers from opposite side of the globe ………… it actually took some thought and strategy from real people, men and women alike who put the people of this country first and foremost . Also in between colored and white as My father had some very interesting mix of blood from S. Chile called Araucanian Indian, Iafter having done a test from Me and 23 (DNA test) I was told the largest portion of my background is European Jew, like 39% if that makes any difference- thank goodness I was never made to go to temple or learn Hebrew. My parents and grandparents were very intelligent persons and I loved them dearly /
Thank you for these excellent suggestions. I’m going to try a few right away.
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