It’s a fact: remaining social later in life can be instrumental in fighting dementia. Seniors who maintain a social lifestyle have a 70 percent reduction in their rate of cognitive decline, compared to their less social peers, according to a study by the Rush University Medical Center. But with less friends nearby, and increasing health concerns, we know it can be challenging for older adults to prevent falling into an isolated lifestyle. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to help the seniors in your life remain social.

Here are a few ways to make sure your loved one stays social as he or she ages:

• Dust off the schoolbooks. Most community colleges now offer a wide range of life enhancement and continuing education classes for seniors, providing the perfect opportunity for older adults to try something new while forging new friendships at the same time. It’s also a great way to expand upon knowledge of current interests and hobbies, such as gardening, cooking, birdwatching and identification, and much more.
• Get out of town. Senior centers and other community organizations often host bus trips to a variety of fun destinations for seniors, whether a quick day trip to a casino or museum, or a longer, all-inclusive trip out of state to include meals and lodging. Either way, it’s a great chance to meet other like-minded seniors who are also up for an adventure.
• Get in the game. Whether it is joining a local bridge playing club or working on the New York Times crossword puzzle with a friend over Skype, or playing Wii bowling with a grandchild, there are plenty of games to provide socialization and enjoyment. Check with local community and senior centers to see what’s already in place in your area, or take the initiative and start something new!

The California senior care services offered by Visiting Angels help enrich the lives of seniors with activities to enhance social engagement. Our compassionate, experienced caregiving team provides the friendly, cheerful encouragement needed to get seniors out and involved in the community when at all possible. For those who are homebound, our professional caregivers can engage in activities with seniors right in the comfort of their home, such as playing cards, board games, looking at photo albums, and reminiscing. Give us a call any time at 800-969-0499 or complete our online contact form to learn more!