Rx Friendship: Add Socialization to Your Senior Wellness Prescription

We humans are "hardwired" to crave and rely on human contact. People depend on other people for survival. And so, just as humans have a built-in desire for food, water and sleep, we also have a deep need to connect with other people. _________________________

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 supporting memory health, and about personal safety, including medication management and fall prevention.

Now, increased attention is being focused on the importance of socializing and maintaining human relationships throughout life. For many years, research focused on the "practical" view of socialization. As they grow older, people with more developed social connections can 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 on the well-being of seniors 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. 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. People of any age and condition can benefit by increased exercise—but it's hard to stay motivated. 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." And a recent study from Rush University shows that less frequent social activity is linked to a loss of motor function. 

5. Depression

Depression is one of the most common health challenges of growing older—but 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…while 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 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.

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. For most people, socialization is as important as physical activity. Take steps now to increase human contact in your own life, and in the lives of older loved ones.