Friendship is often associated with youth. It inspires energy, motivation, and excitement – emotions that go hand in hand with the young and feisty. However, friendships can be even more meaningful for older adults. They can bring much-needed compassion and understanding to make old age bearable and even enjoyable. Some negative thought processes stop senior adults from cultivating friendships. Identifying these streams of thought and nipping them in the bud can help us embrace each stage of life with anticipation and vigor.
1. New Friendships Make No Sense in Sunset Days
Health can be a constant problem for many senior adults. Hypertension and arthritis can plague older people disproportionately. The resulting impact on health conjures images of life nearing its end. At this time, it can be easy to believe that one is living the sunset days. Making new friends seems like an impossible task.
The BBC insightfully reported that cognitive interventions for friendships can benefit many older adults. Changing the thought process from “Why will anyone want to be friends with me?” to “I can still pursue new relationships actively” is crucial. It connects to our self-perception of ageing. Believing that old age must be synonymous with loneliness will make us less likely to seek friendships.
Another consideration is focusing on a few good friends instead of trying to recreate the large groups from youth. Social density becomes vital for older adults, wherein we prioritize a few people we feel close to and cement meaningful relationships. The Guardian notes that it emanates from a need to be our authentic self in late adulthood, sans the need to play a role. Emphasizing values like reciprocity and honesty can help make deeper connections.
2. Making New Friends Is Impossible Without Leaving the House
A familiar roadblock to forming new friendships as an older adult is the lack of social avenues. Many senior citizens may be troubled with medical problems that reduce their mobility. How can you find friends if you don’t get a chance to attend social events like concerts or brunches? Loneliness is a rampant problem among many adults across the US. Gallup reported that loneliness has inched up to 20% in recent times. It is worse among adults who don’t experience “positive energy” from their loved ones. Limited participation in neighbourhood events also contributes to this statistic.
Changing this dynamic requires active endeavour to connect with other people. For example, taking on a hobby that interests you can bring you closer to others who share the interest. Think book clubs, pottery, or even photography. Revisiting interests you have nurtured can have additional meaning: meeting friends. Older adults can also consider assisted living facilities to reignite the power of transformation through friendship. John A. Hartford Foundation’s guidelines on age-friendly health procedures are relevant here. The focus is on what matters to the person, medication, and mobility.
For example, Kansas has lively cities like Wichita, with numerous aviation museums and botanical gardens. Older adults can feel invigorated if only they have companions. With its ageing population, the state also has many long-term care facilities. If you seek Wichita long-term care, you can benefit from the presence of other adults in similar situations and forge friendships emanating from shared circumstances. Having professionals around for health monitoring and care keeps day-to-day life free of stress.
Staying in such residential facilities makes it convenient to interact with people over organized events and social get-togethers. Heartful Homes notes that simple avenues like a sun porch and customized activities can encourage people to come together and find common ground. The availability of professional care to tend to health needs reassures people. It makes them free to explore relationships that don’t dwell on ailments alone. Bridging digital divides is another way to nourish friendships. Mobile applications and video calls make interacting with others possible without venturing outdoors.
3. If Family Doesn’t Care, Why Should Friends?
Another damaging chain of thought in advanced years is feeling abandoned by one’s family. Ageing often brings with it incidents of children moving to new countries and grandchildren meeting up only once a year, if that. Senior adults who feel abandoned by family members are unlikely to believe in the power of friendship.
These thoughts can be worse among adults who live alone. The lack of social interactions makes ageing a scary prospect with no likelihood of improving. Those who suffer from memory problems or a general age-related cognitive decline can feel the brunt of perceived abandonment even more. However, it needn’t be impossible. We must recalibrate our priorities and accept that friends can mean as much or even more than family.
The American Psychological Association celebrates the power of high-quality adult friendships for their social support and companionship. The APA notes that friends can impact the outcome of mental health issues like depression. They also affect blood pressure reactivity, lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke compared to adults without supportive friends.
Ageing can be strenuous, affecting physical and mental health. It can push people to desperation and fuel helplessness toward unstoppable time. At this time, embracing friendship can be the balm we need to feel better from within. Culling unconstructive thinking and fostering friendships for everything they promise is crucial to finding pleasure in the “sunset” years. After all, sunsets promise glorious golden views, rich in colour. We must only be willing to look.
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