How Social Gatherings Build Community at Morada Lake Hefner

Social gatherings bring Oklahoma City residents together, encouraging connections and laughter. Socializing may enhance your mental, physical, and emotional wellness.

According to the National Institute on Aging, loneliness and social isolation are linked to poor aging outcomes. They may increase your risk of serious mental and physical health conditions. People who attend social gatherings and productive activities, on the other hand, tend to live longer.

Senior community events may help improve your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. How can socializing impact your health and quality of life in Oklahoma City, OK? Read on to find out!

How Common Is a Lack of Social Connection?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four American adults lacks social and emotional support. About one in three feels lonely. Social isolation and loneliness can become detrimental to your mental and physical health.

What Are the Benefits of Senior Community Events?

Human connection may help protect your mental and physical health. It provides a sense of belonging, which can improve your self-esteem and emotional stability.

Your friends can encourage you to live an active, purposeful life, improving your mental and physical well-being. Here are a few ways senior community events can improve your overall health.

Emotional Wellness in Aging Seniors

According to the National Institute of Health, depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide. It's also a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. Though it's a common mental health problem in the elderly population, it's undiagnosed in 50% of cases.

As many as 20% of older adults have depression. People with major depressive disorder have a 40% greater chance of premature death than others.

Attending social gatherings may improve emotional wellness in aging seniors. You'll gain a support system you can lean on when you feel down. You can participate in fun activities with friends, which may foster feelings of happiness while reducing your risk of depression.

Improved Physical Health

Exercising with other seniors can foster friendships and encourage healthy habits. You can find fun exercise classes through your senior living community's fitness program. Exercising regularly can improve your physical health by:

Preventing bone loss
Relieving osteoarthritis pain
Helping prevent chronic disease (including heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension)
Improving your immunity
Boosting your mood

Social activity may reduce your risk of developing certain health conditions, including:

Some types of cancer
Heart disease
Stroke
Dementia

Socializing may improve your mood, life satisfaction, and sense of purpose. These feelings could extend your longevity.

Better Mental Health

Socializing can help you remain mentally active. Your friends may encourage you to learn new things, which helps new neural pathways form (neuroplasticity). Improving your neuroplasticity can help you maintain mental acuity.

Otherwise, social disconnectedness may trigger feelings of stress and anxiety. Excess stress hormones like cortisol can cause:

Stomachaches
Headaches
Rapid breathing
Heartburn
Pounding heart
High blood pressure
High blood sugar
Weakened immune system
Insomnia
An increased risk of depression
Tense muscles
Undereating or overeating

Chronic stress may increase your risk of health conditions like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Before that happens, explore your Oklahoma City senior living options. Maintaining strong social connections can help you discover new ways to relieve stress.

Tips for Resident Engagement

Don't let social isolation affect your health or quality of life. Instead, use these tips to connect with other seniors in Oklahoma City.

Participate in Regular Exercise Classes

Explore the fitness program at your assisted living community to find fun, engaging exercise classes. These may include:

Yoga
Tai chi
Water aerobics
Walking or hiking groups
Weight lifting
Resistance training
Stretching
Meditation

Attend these classes with friends who challenge and motivate you. Their presence can make exercising a regular, engaging part of your routine.

Find Group Activities for Older Adults

Try engaging with seniors who share your interests and hobbies.Find group activities for older adults through your Oklahoma City senior living community. Their events and activities calendar may offer:

Cooking classes
Dance classes
Game nights (board games, trivia, card games, etc.)
Excursions to theaters, museums, and local attractions
Book or movie clubs
Arts and crafts workshops (knitting, crocheting, etc.)
Birdwatching groups
Music therapy

Creative expression can improve your mental and emotional well-being. Try sharing ideas and techniques with members of your community. They may help you expand your skill set.

Use these activities as an opportunity to learn something new. This will keep your mind engaged, benefiting your overall wellness.

Consider volunteering to give back to your community. You can share your skills and experiences, which can give you a sense of accomplishment. Volunteering can also renew your purpose in life while helping you connect with other seniors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Do Seniors Go to Socialize?

Seniors can find opportunities to socialize with peers through:

Events at their local library
Community centers
Fitness classes
Art workshops
Educational seminars
Dance nights
Potlucks
Organized trips
Their local senior living community

Explore your senior living community's events and activities calendar for fun socializing opportunities. Attending these social gatherings can help you develop and maintain lasting friendships.

What Are the Risk Factors of Social Isolation?

Lifestyle factors and health conditions may increase your risk of social isolation and loneliness.These can include:

Living in a rural area
Facing a divorce
Navigating the loss of a loved one
Having limited access to transportation
Struggling with a long-term disability or chronic health condition
Having a psychiatric or depression condition
Being marginalized or discriminated against

Loneliness impacts some groups more than others, including older adults and adults who live alone. To avoid health complications associated with loneliness, consider moving into a senior living community. Their resident engagement program can improve emotional wellness in aging adults.

Enjoy Social Gatherings at Our Oklahoma City Senior Living Community

Attending social gatherings in Oklahoma City can improve your overall well-being. Remember, you can find fun group activities for older adults through your local senior living community.

Morada Lake Hefner offers exclusive senior lifestyle programs, including chef-prepared dining, engaging activities & social events (like live music and art workshops), and health & fitness classes (including yoga and water aerobics).

Every day provides new opportunities for social connections, fun, and creativity. Contact us now to schedule your tour.