Having a life full of loving family members and caring friends is a blessing for most of us, especially as we age. Constant socializing is the best way to prevent depression, loneliness, and other mental health issues. In fact, studies show that socialization even has a positive effect on our cognitive abilities, helping to lower our risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

However, what can you or a loved one do if they happen to live far from family? Or they don’t have access to transportation to see their friends? Luckily, there are options out there to help you or a loved one remain social! Read more about them below:

Volunteering

Giving back to the community not only creates a sense of pride among seniors, it’s also a great way to meet new people and make positive changes. A few of the most common volunteer opportunities for older adults are:

• Working for local literacy programs to help children improve reading levels
• Joining foster grandparent programs and serving as a source of inspiration for at-risk youth
• Helping in the local soup kitchen
• Donating or working at community thrift shops

Of course, there are plenty of other choice out there to help serve your community and make some friends in the process. As stated before, it provides you or a loved one with a wonderful sense of purpose and helps you get in a room with a bunch of your like-minded peers. So try it out sometime!

Continuing Education

Studies show again and again that an active mind is more often a happy mind — and a mind less susceptible to age-related loss of cognitive ability. If you’re looking for new social outlets and the means to better yourself, there are a number of educational opportunities available that can reward you with new friends, new community contacts and new knowledge.

There are lots of adult continuing education opportunities available, many of them free of charge — so if you always wanted to know more about nutrition or learn Portuguese, now’s a good time to do it. There are continuing education programs available for homebound seniors, too, through the aid of other seniors who attend classes on site and later share what they’ve learned.

Gaming

Whether it’s on a golf course or in someone’s living room, there are numerous opportunities to play various games with some folks who are interested in the same ones you are. They don’t have to be as physical as signing up for your local flag football team either. There are clubs for fans of crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and jigsaw puzzles. And even virtual sports such as Wii bowling or golfing. They get you up and moving, working through the motions to get your blood pumping, and focusing on form, as opposed to sweating through 18 holes of golf or ten frames of bowling. You get to play the sports you love, but on your own time.

That’s not to say more physical sports clubs don’t exist for people over 50. There are plenty of leagues out there like softball, tennis, and Frisbee golf. Of course, make sure you consult with your primary physician before doing anything too active. It’s always best to make sure you’re in proper health before attempting to play a 7 set match of tennis or carrying around your golf bag for 18 holes in the heat of the summer.

Pursuing Hobbies

Post-retirement, most seniors have a lot of free time. Why not spend it by taking up a new hobby or diving back into a previously enjoyed activity? Thousands of older adults spend their time scrapbooking, painting, or pursuing photography. Why not you?

There are numerous studies out there that show the many positive side effects of pursuing an artistic hobby. For instance, it helps connect new neurons in the brain, so the chances of cognitive decline for you or a loved one decrease. Plus, much like volunteering, it gives us a sense of purpose. It feels great to finally finish that poem you’ve been working on or to see that empty canvass finally filled. So don’t forget! There is no age limit when it comes to trying new things or picking up something right where you left off! Join a painting class or a scrapbooking club. Find some new friends, after all it’s good for you!