One of the key things that makes aging more difficult is the fact that we tend to lose touch with the things that are going on in the world. That doesn’t necessarily mean current events — one can watch the evening news for that. It means current social trends, and the ways people connect as the years go on.
Do you fail to understand the latest slang and music? What about being confused about musical trends or social movements? There are ways you can stay engaged, and a huge benefit is that it’ll help you stay younger, more vital and live a longer and healthier life as well. Learn how to stay socially engaged with age, from connecting to current youth issues to keeping up with the latest in technology and remaining vital.
Get With the Times!
Bob Dylan famously said it: the times they are a-changin’. There’s nothing we can do about that; it happens, and raging against it doesn’t do anyone any good. Ignoring it, on the other hand, can lead to you becoming isolated and miserable. It’s much better to keep up with the changing times as best you can. Sure, you may not have the energy you had as a kid, but you can still pay attention to the world around you and reap the benefits at the same time.
As you age your brain undergoes physiological changes that make it harder for you to process new information and learn new things. This is especially true of people who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia. Did you know, however, that seniors who stay highly social into their golden years have a 70 percent reduction in cognitive decline than those who aren’t engaged? That means that remaining socially engaged can reduce your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s!
Social networking is a term that may be nebulous to you, and these days it often refers to the Internet and services like Facebook. Of course, being on Facebook can be a great way to keep up with what’s going on in the world, and you may want to consider taking a computer class to learn how to use current social media platforms. In fact, people over 74 are the fastest growing demographic online today!
Other, more old-school ways of networking also exist. Just get out and about. Maintain personal relationships. Join a church group. Attend a craft or hobby meetup. Engage in book clubs at the local café or library. Consider things like puzzle groups or chess clubs. Such games will keep your mind sharp.
Planning your estate may not directly contribute to staying socially active, but it will remove a major concern from your mind — what happens when you need help, or when you have to make sure your loved ones are cared for? You’ll also need to let other people know what your plans are, so that will get you out and about more!
When the time comes to plan your estate, work with a qualified elder law attorney. In Ohio, the Stano Law Firm is here to help with all the estate planning needs you have. Give us a call for a consultation today!
