One of the challenges of aging is keeping or finding a range of friends to enhance your quality of life. As people age, they can lose touch with friends made earlier in life or sadly see old friends pass away. Research shows that social isolation can have a detrimental effect on physical and mental health.
A recent study of friendship from Harrogate Lifecare found it can take about 50 hours for someone to move from an acquaintance to a casual friend, and 90 hours to achieve just normal “friend” status. It can take as long as 200 hours for someone to be considered a truly close friend.
One benefit of retirement is you might have more time to make friends. But some people don’t know exactly where to begin. Of course, the simplest way is to maintain strong family relationships and make the effort to stay in touch with old friends. Today’s technology makes that easier.
There are things you can do to widen your circle of friends by engaging in activities that will help you meet people with shared interests. Exercise, volunteering, joining community groups, and getting involved with a church or synagogue all can lead to new contacts and friendships.
Extra Income Helps With Quality of Life
There’s always a need for more money to help enjoy new activities. Council of Seniors is working to get Congress to pass The SAVE Benefits Act, which will give seniors back benefits that were withheld. Because the annual Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) often doesn’t give you the increase needed, we must work together to get this legislation passed. If we succeed, seniors will be reimbursed the $581 they’re rightfully owed.
Please sign our petition today. We greatly appreciate your support.
Do you find it difficult to meet and make new friends? Leave us a comment and let us know.
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