What is the importance of friendship in later life?
Friendships mean more than just having someone to hang out with; they offer essential companionship and reassurance, as well as providing many health and mobility benefits.
They also provide vital connections that help prevent loneliness, and promote wellbeing for all ages.
In this blog, we’re exploring the importance of friendship, and how spending time with friends can have a positive impact on the older generation:
The Importance of Friendship: Boosting Cognitive Function
As we get older, cognitive function becomes increasingly more important.
Maintaining strong social connections, including friendships, can not only help preserve cognitive function, but also reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Engaging in meaningful conversations, solving problems and playing games together, and sharing experiences with friends, can all provide mental stimulation that keeps our minds sharp.
At Macc Care, we ensure that our residents have plenty of opportunities for social interactions — both in and out of the home. We help them engage in conversations and meet new people, as well as nurture their existing relationships.
Improving Wellbeing
Spending time with friends can have a significant impact on emotional wellbeing. Sharing joy and laughter with others not only releases dopamine (the ‘happy’ hormone) leading to enhanced mood, it can also instil a sense of camaraderie and belonging.
Having a companion around also offers the opportunity to share life’s ups and downs, providing emotional support during challenging times. This can help prevent feelings of anxiety, stress and depression, whilst having a strong social network can reduce feelings of isolation.
The Importance of Friendship: Enhancing Physical Health
Friendships can have a direct impact on physical health.
Engaging in social activities with friends often involves physical activity. This can include going for a walk, playing a sport, or taking part in an exercise class together.
Regular physical activity helps to improve heart health, balance, strength and coordination, as well as a range of other benefits. By doing it with a friend, you can help each other stay accountable and encourage each other to keep going.
At Macc Care, we plan a wide range of activities and excursions to ensure our residents stay fit and healthy in their senior years. We make all our activities as accessible as possible, and encourage our residents to partake in activities together.
The Importance of Friendship on Mental Health
When looking at the importance of friendship, it’s essential to look at the impact companionship can have on mental health.
Friendships are often a source of comfort, especially through difficult times. Having someone to confide in helps relieve the pressure, and a friend can often help you work through any challenges. They may offer a listening ear, friendly advice, and a non-judgmental space to share your thoughts and feelings.
This support system is essential for promoting positive mental health.
The Importance of Friendship: Living a Longer, Healthier Life
Having strong friendships is often associated with increased longevity.
Those with supportive friends tend to live longer, healthier lives. This is because being around them can encourage healthy behaviours, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, contributing to a longer life.
Our care staff play an active role in supporting our residents, helping them stay connected and offering a consistent presence in order to reduce feelings of loneliness.
The Importance of Friendship: Offering a Sense of Purpose
Having companions in your life can offer both purpose and fulfilment. It can lead to new experiences and personal growth, helping broaden your ideas and beliefs, and foster a sense of community.
Friendships are a fundamental component of our overall wellbeing and, so, it’s essential to maintain and nurture them — especially in later life.
Don’t underestimate the importance of friendship; it has the power to enhance many aspects of your life!
If you’d like to know more about how we support our residents through social connections and activities, please contact a member of our team.
Alternatively, why not read our previous blog to discover how we’re raising awareness for dementia, with our ‘Think C.A.R.E’ campaign?
