Staying socially connected can boost your mood, support your health, and help you feel more engaged as you age. Your community is one of your greatest assets.
Staying connected with your community gives you a support network and a sense of belonging. Feeling like you belong is a basic human need that affects your physical and mental health. Research shows a feeling of belonging is helpful for managing stress.
Social connectedness can also create trust and resilience within communities. However, social patterns have changed over the years. People move more than in the past. This means it is not unusual to lose your community connections.
Retirement, relocation, death of a loved one, and health problems are examples of losses which change your sense of connection. It’s important to find a way of reconnecting. Studies have shown social connection matters as much as diet and exercise for good health.
Start with who you know
Connecting with your community can start with those you already know and like. This can be family, friends, neighbours, and people you’re in regular contact with when out on errands.
If you’re in the habit of not contacting friends and acquaintances, make the effort to get in touch the next time you think of someone. If you’re in distant places, organise a time to catch up for a phone call.
A friendly text message can lift your mood when you feel lonely. Talking with a friend to catch up, banter or tell them you’re thinking of them can reduce stress and make your day better.
Video: How Sharon created her own social group
Sharon, the founder of Shorehaven Yarners, and members of her group discuss the importance of lifelong learning and rebuilding a social circle after downsizing.
Developing new connections
Connections Matter is a helpful booklet from Beyond Blue that offers ideas for staying socially connected when you’re over 60. It has a planning guide and recommends starting small with something in your comfort zone. For example:
Chatting and catching up
Stopping for a chat when you’re out and about, talking on the phone or chatting online with other people.
Activities and interests
There’s a club, society, or interest group for almost anything you can think of. Online interest groups connect a global community of people who share your interests.
Video: Making connections through the photography group
Hear how the Men's Shed photography group stays connected after retirement.
Volunteering
Research has shown that volunteering for seven days can make you happy. The study also found that the more you do for others, the bigger the boost to your health and satisfaction with life.
Going out to community events
For example:
- Local markets, fetes and festivals
- Library and cultural events like exhibitions
- Sporting events and local government activities
Finding a new interest is a good way of keeping connected with your community. If at first you don’t find something you enjoy, remember there are many other opportunities.
Where to get ideas
We've created a comprehensive list of exercise classes, product suggestions, and local groups.
Take the free, confidential LiveUp quiz to see your suggestions. You can also get in touch with one of our helpful team on 1800 951 971.
Here are some other ways of finding out what’s available in your community:
- Check local noticeboards, news, pamphlets and finding online community information in apps like Facebook.
- Councils often have up-to-date information about groups or programs in your area.
- Check with resource centres, like senior centres, libraries, community spaces and cultural centres.
- National Seniors Australia is the largest not-for-profit serving the 50+ population. It has community branches all over Australia. Branch members discuss community issues, enjoy social events, and hear guest speakers.
Joining a group is an easy way to get out to a local community meeting place for a change of scene. There can be little to no cost involved.
If you get Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) services, you may be able to have social support services as part of your personal care package.
If it’s not easy to get out
A few simple processes and products can help you enjoy getting out and about. Learn more about this at LiveUp Out and about. You can also read about transport options here.
There are also programs with trained volunteers who can call or visit you for a chat. For example, the Community Visitors Scheme.
If you receive government funded aged care services, you can refer yourself at Request an Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme.
Connecting with technology
Chatting with family and friends online is a good way of staying connected. Social networking apps and other online tools can help you to connect with communities and groups you’re interested in. For example, ConnectUp is the LiveUp community for sharing tips and ideas.
If you need help with learning new digital skills, the Australian Government provides quality support at Be Connected. Be Connected provides free courses and resources. The free lessons are also useful if you have good digital skills and want to support someone who is learning.
To keep up with the latest online safety news and tips, check Scamwatch and the Australian Cyber Security Centre. Learn more about cyber security.
Video: How Margaret uses tech to connect
In this interview, we chat with Margaret Davies, an 86-year-old who uses her phone and iPad to stay in touch with her loved ones, even across long distances.
More helpful information
If you need more information, take the LiveUp quiz or get in touch with one of our helpful team on 1800 951 971.
You can also find more tips and advice by following the links below:
- Resource Library - Beyond Blue
- Good Karma Network
- Neighbourhood Connect
- Acts of kindness and compassion
- The Australian chatty café initiative
- National Seniors | Branches - National Seniors Australia
References
Allen, K-A. (2019, June 20). The importance of belonging across life. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sense-belonging/201906/the-importance-belonging-across-life
Rowland, L. (2019). A range of kindness activities boost happiness. The Journal of Social Psychology, 159(3), Published online: 15 May 2018. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2018.1469461
Vassiliadis, K. (2016, January 4). Social networks as important as exercise and diet across the span of our lives. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Health and Medicine News. Retrieved from https://uncnewsarchive.unc.edu/2016/01/04/social-networks-as-important-as-exercise-and-diet-across-the-span-of-our-lives/
Beyond Blue. Mental health statistics. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/statistics
LiveUp provides free information to help you make informed decisions about your health. This information is for general and educational purposes only, is not intended to provide a comprehensive guide, and does not replace medical advice. Everyone is different, so some of these tips may work better for you than others. You should use your own judgment and seek medical advice when applying this information to yourself, to determine if it is suitable in your circumstances. Your use of, or reliance on, this information is solely at your own risk. Independent Living Assessment Incorporated is not responsible or liable for any injury, loss, or damage caused as a result of your use of, or reliance on, this information.
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