Rx: Friendship

Add More Socialization to Your Healthy Aging Prescription

We humans are "hardwired" to crave and rely on human contact. Unlike, for example, a turtle, which hatches from a buried egg and is on its own from that moment on, people depend on other people for survival.

Brain experts explain this "wiring": early human beings lived in small, interdependent groups. To survive and thrive, individuals needed to be finely attuned to their fellow tribesmen, so the part of our brain that controls communication is very large and developed. Just as humans have a built-in desire for food, water and sleep, we also have a deep need to connect with other people.

Deprived of engagement with others, human beings experience a condition that is damaging and distressing: loneliness. Loneliness can be a debilitating, distressing condition for humans. Consider that prisoners can be controlled with the threat of solitary confinement. And most people can identify with the movie Cast Away where Tom Hanks, marooned on a deserted island, creates a "companion" by drawing a face on a volleyball that has drifted ashore.

Over the last few decades, researchers have been fine-tuning a definitive "prescription" for healthy aging, defining the building blocks that combine to help us maintain the highest possible level of function and quality of life in our later years.

You have probably read a lot about the vital role of physical activity, about "brain care" and making lifestyle choices that support memory health, and about personal safety, including medication management and fall prevention.

But recently, increased attention is being focused on the importance of socializing and maintaining human relationships throughout life. Experts on aging have long suspected that socialization improves physical and emotional well-being, increases mental alertness and encourages a more active lifestyle. New research studies confirm these benefits and more, pinpointing the mechanisms behind the protective properties of human interaction that lessen the risk of Alzheimer's disease, promote heart health, improve symptoms of depression and minimize the effects of stress.

For many years, research focused on the "practical" view of socialization. As they grew older, people with more developed social connections could get a ride to the doctor, find someone to lend a hand with physical care, go out to dinner with companions, walk around the park with a social group. And this is indeed an important part of the picture. But we now know that this isn't the whole story of why social engagement is so important.

Science Says: 8 Good Reasons to Be Socially Engaged

Recent studies confirm that socialization can have a positive impact in these areas:

1. Immune System

A 2007 UCLA study demonstrated that loneliness decreases the efficiency of the human immune system. The study's author, Dr. Steven Cole, says, "The biological impact of social isolation reaches down into some of our most basic internal processes—the activity of our genes." Several other studies also confirm that people with strong social connections exhibit stronger immunity against disease.

2. Blood Pressure

University of Chicago researchers released a study in 2006 showing that loneliness is linked to high blood pressure. Stress seems to be a key element of this connection. Author John Cacioppo points out that lonely individuals are less likely to approach stressful situations with "active coping and attempting to problem solve," which leads to a hypertension-promoting passive reaction. For humans, discussing one's problems with someone else is an instant stress buster.

3. Brain Health and Memory

A 2009 study from the American Academy of Neurology examining stress and dementia confirms that people who are socially active may be less likely to develop cognitive impairment. And a 2008 Harvard School of Public Health study showed that an active social life slows memory loss. In another University of Chicago study, MRI scans confirmed the negative impact of loneliness on brain health. It is important to note that in these studies, the researchers were careful to rule out "reverse causation"—the possibility that study participants were less social because they had memory loss, and not the opposite.

4. Physical Activity

Physical activity is frequently called the number one ingredient for healthy aging…and numerous studies demonstrate that social connections lead to increased exercise. For people of any age, it can quickly grow boring to go for a walk alone day after day! And many gym members confirm that they would prefer waiting in line for the treadmill to work out in the company of a group of like minded people, rather than exercise at home. According to the International Council on Active Aging, for many seniors, one of the main predictors of maintaining one's fitness program over time is the good old "buddy system." So keep yourself motivated, and surround yourself with other people who will support your fitness goals.

5. Depression

Depression is one of the most common challenges of growing older. One of the most important and powerful ways to fight depression is to interact and engage with others. A 2009 report from the American Sociological Association examined the connection between depression and feelings of loneliness, finding that the two are intertwined. Untreated, depression can cause a senior to withdraw from social engagement…but spending more time with others can help "jump start" recovery.

6. Pain

Unfortunately, physical pain from conditions such as arthritis or osteoporosis also becomes more common as we grow older. Chronic pain can have a major negative impact on quality of life. A Harvard Medical School study describes the cycle: "Pain slows recovery from depression, depression makes pain harder to treat…depression leads to isolation and isolation leads to further depression." Maintaining social connection with others can be an important tool in decreasing the impact of pain. And people who are coping with chronic pain also report the positive effects of participating in support groups with others who are dealing with the same challenges.

7. Nutrition

Gerontologists have long known that social isolation is a big risk factor for malnutrition. A 2009 study of hospitalized seniors from the Universite de Montreal found "a clear correlation between food intake and social interaction." Seniors who live alone often say that it is "just too much trouble" to fix a nutritious meal for one, and they may skip meals or get in the habit of snacking on junk food. This can lead to a serious weight loss—or, in some cases, to obesity, when a lonely person turns to food for companionship.

8. Relationships

It may seem paradoxical, but socialization with a large number of people has been shown to have a positive impact on our primary relationships. A 2009 article in the AARP Bulletin points out that "even though Americans are closer to their spouses than ever before, that kind of intimacy can work against us if we allow ourselves to 'cocoon' within the relationship." Married couples who become too insular tend to expect their partner to meet all their emotional needs. In the same way, too much reliance on the parent/child bond can also be stressful for both, even when parents and children are the kind who describe each other as "best friends." Studies show that seniors who socialize not only with family members but also with their peers have better emotional, intellectual and physical health.

Meeting the Socialization Challenges in Our Later Years

Even though social engagement is just as—if not more—important for our well-being as we age, our social networks may diminish. We retire from work, our children grow up and move away, and we may face the loss of our spouse or partner. Changes in our health status can lead to decreased energy, communication or mobility challenges, and reduced transportation options. This potentially leads to one of the "downward spirals" we have previously examined in the Aging in Stride E-News: in this case, physical decline decreases opportunities for socialization, and the resulting loneliness and depression contribute to physical decline…which in turn makes it even more challenging to get out of the house and be with other people.

So, it is worth it to make the effort, make a plan, to add more socialization to your life! One of the gifts of being older is that you have more time to spend developing relationships and doing the things that bring you pleasure. Make a list of the activities you currently enjoy, as well as interests you've always wanted to pursue. Do you like to play cards, do needlework, or arrange flowers? Are you a birdwatcher or a fly fisherman or a bowler? Do you enjoy cooking, or art, or going to the theater? Have you always wanted to learn to ballroom dance, to quilt, to do woodworking, carpentry, or remodeling projects?

To help translate your interests into activities with other people, check into the opportunities offered by your local senior center, community colleges, parks and recreation department, church, synagogue or other faith community, and your friends, neighbors and acquaintances.

And as you think about creating a life that is full of meaningful interaction with other people, consider the possibility of becoming a volunteer. The need has never been greater in all communities, and volunteering is a great way to meet new friends. Many worthy organizations—schools, hospitals, museums, social service agencies—rely upon volunteers. Fortunately, many retirees are answering the call, serving their communities, sharing their gifts, and helping others. (See the March 2009 issue of the Aging in Stride E-News for many more ideas!)

Think also about where you would like to live for the rest of your life. Does your current living situation allow you to get "out and about" and have contact with others? Would a senior living community be a good choice as you plan for the future?

Yes, as we grow older, it takes a little more effort and more planning to stay fully engaged with life, but the rewards are great. Of course, this is an individual thing—some of us are born social butterflies and others need our "alone time" more than do others. But for most people, socialization is as important as physical activity—and when it comes to social skills, "use it or lose it" applies.



By Joyce Remy, Editor, and Dennis Kenny, Co-Author, Aging in Stride–Plan Ahead, Stay Connected, Keep Moving. Copyright 2009. Reprinted with permission from Aging in Stride eNews – subscribe free at www.AgingInStride.org