Leaving Loneliness Behind
Loneliness can affect people of all ages and walks of life, but seniors can be more susceptible given their stage in life often means they live alone or are homebound . In fact, the CDC designates loneliness as an epidemic. Social isolation can increase a person’s risk of premature death equal to smoking, inactivity and obesity. Even worse, loneliness is associated with about a 50% increase in the risk of dementia.
“If you are a senior who is hindered by immobility or the early onset of dementia and living alone, daily interaction with others is very important to your overall health and wellbeing”, says Tracy Brady, Executive Director of the Fort Meyers/Naples BrightStar Care franchise. “Senior social clubs are a great way to get out there and get social,” she says.
In the Fort Myers/Naples area of Florida there are a number of great social clubs that seniors can join in their later years and make the friends and form the bonds that fight loneliness.
Garden Clubs. Community gardens and clubs are on the rise across the nation. If you and your loved one are the type who likes to get into the dirt and work with nature, our area has plenty to choose from. GardenClub.org allows you to enter your location and search for clubs within a certain proximity. You’ll find the Gulf Coast Garden Club and Naples Garden Club among many others to contact for more information.
Book Clubs. Reading can help keep our minds sharp and active as we age. Book clubs offer the ideal combination of nurturing the mind as well as keeping us social. Book clubs for all, for men and for women exist in our area. A recent post on the GulfShoreLine.com website offered many options from which seniors in the area can join.
Social Clubs. For those looking for a general social group based on age or interest, the website MeetUp.com allows a search by area and lists many clubs with to choose from.
SilverSneakers. Sometimes, regular gyms can be intimidating for seniors or older people with disabilities. SilverSneakers is an organization for the 65+ age group that offers low key ways to exercise with an added social element. You can go to a gym, walk outdoors with other seniors or even exercise right at home with a group of senior friends.
Athletic Competitions. Yes, organized competitions do exist for people in their senior years. Whether you are a serious athlete or just a beginner looking for a little fun competition, healthful exercise within a social environment, the National Senior Games organization can be a great place to start. You can join a local group and then move onto the national competition.
Other notable and interesting social clubs that have chapters in the Fort Meyers/Naples area include the Red Hat Society, a unique club for women who want to have some fun with friendship among the locals or internationally. The Audubon Society of Florida offers the unique experience of bird watching and conservation right in our backyard. It is a great way to meet new like-minded people and serve our environment at the same time.
Loneliness can affect people of all ages and walks of life, but seniors can be more susceptible given their stage in life often means they live alone or are homebound . In fact, the CDC designates loneliness as an epidemic. Social isolation can increase a person’s risk of premature death equal to smoking, inactivity and obesity. Even worse, loneliness is associated with about a 50% increase in the risk of dementia.
“If you are a senior who is hindered by immobility or the early onset of dementia and living alone, daily interaction with others is very important to your overall health and wellbeing”, says Tracy Brady, Executive Director of the Fort Meyers/Naples BrightStar Care franchise. “Senior social clubs are a great way to get out there and get social,” she says.
In the Fort Myers/Naples area of Florida there are a number of great social clubs that seniors can join in their later years and make the friends and form the bonds that fight loneliness.
Garden Clubs. Community gardens and clubs are on the rise across the nation. If you and your loved one are the type who likes to get into the dirt and work with nature, our area has plenty to choose from. GardenClub.org allows you to enter your location and search for clubs within a certain proximity. You’ll find the Gulf Coast Garden Club and Naples Garden Club among many others to contact for more information.
Book Clubs. Reading can help keep our minds sharp and active as we age. Book clubs offer the ideal combination of nurturing the mind as well as keeping us social. Book clubs for all, for men and for women exist in our area. A recent post on the GulfShoreLine.com website offered many options from which seniors in the area can join.
Social Clubs. For those looking for a general social group based on age or interest, the website MeetUp.com allows a search by area and lists many clubs with to choose from.
SilverSneakers. Sometimes, regular gyms can be intimidating for seniors or older people with disabilities. SilverSneakers is an organization for the 65+ age group that offers low key ways to exercise with an added social element. You can go to a gym, walk outdoors with other seniors or even exercise right at home with a group of senior friends.
Athletic Competitions. Yes, organized competitions do exist for people in their senior years. Whether you are a serious athlete or just a beginner looking for a little fun competition, healthful exercise within a social environment, the National Senior Games organization can be a great place to start. You can join a local group and then move onto the national competition.
Other notable and interesting social clubs that have chapters in the Fort Meyers/Naples area include the Red Hat Society, a unique club for women who want to have some fun with friendship among the locals or internationally. The Audubon Society of Florida offers the unique experience of bird watching and conservation right in our backyard. It is a great way to meet new like-minded people and serve our environment at the same time.