The Power of Staying Connected

As February brings longer days and more daylight, I start looking forward to warmer days and doing outdoor activities I love, like gardening and rowing. But in the meantime, while the weather is still chilly, I think about ways I can reconnect with past interests or find workshops and lectures that get me out into the community to explore new ideas and meet new people. Senior and community centers and libraries usually have great offerings, often at low or no cost. For example, I recently decided to brush up on the Italian language, which I studied many years ago, and found a “talk time” class at my local community center. I discovered that I still remember a lot after all!

I also attended a wonderful presentation by Dr. Nancy Hooyman, professor in gerontology and dean emeritus at the University of Washington School of Social Work. She is the author of 12 books and over 130 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters related to gerontology and women’s issues. She is a frequent presenter on topics such as multigenerational policy and practice, grief and loss, and end-of-life care. 

Dr. Hooyman’s lecture reminded me of how important social connection is to instilling feelings of belonging and self-efficacy, as well as having huge benefits to physical and emotional health.

Dr. Hooyman focused on the topic of social isolation and how this can have negative effects, especially for older adults, such as increased risks of hospitalization, compromised immune systems, cognitive decline, depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. Social isolation can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes daily in increasing the risk of premature death, according to a Surgeon General’s report in 2023.

Research also shows that having social supports can mitigate these effects, but there is a difference between having social networks and having social supports. Dr. Hooyman defined social networks as interactions or connections with others, and social supports as having people that provide support to you in your life, such as helping with rides or companionship. For example, you may belong to a gym and have the others in a class with you as your social network, but when you go out afterwards to have coffee with them and share personal experiences, that’s social connection. The CrossFit class I attend twice a week tries to have a potluck or go out together to eat at a restaurant monthly. I know that I could call on several people from this group to help me if I needed it, as I have made a social connection with them. Dr. Hooyman said that while family members are important social supports, it’s wise to include friends from outside the family to be part of your life as well, quoting the iconic Beatles song: “I get by with a little help from my friends.”

Dr. Hooyman stressed that a few quality interactions are preferable to a quantity of interactions and that it’s important to shift the focus to giving help as well as getting help. Reciprocity is critical as you build these supports; maybe you can’t offer your friend a ride because you are no longer driving, but you can offer to listen to them as they work through a problem or challenge.

Lastly, Dr. Hooyman urged us to set goals for interaction, build a buddy system to help us stay accountable, and be open to new experiences.  Maybe find a way to volunteer, especially in an intergenerational setting such as tutoring school kids, or with other older adults at a senior center helping to serve food during the community lunch. She ended with the challenge for us to identify one change that will increase our social supports, set a timeline, and work to implement it. When it is accomplished, celebrate the success and keep building on it.

Whatever your strategy or timeline for your journey to make meaningful social connections and supports, be assured that even small changes can make a powerful difference in your emotional and physical health! 

Contributor Alex O’Reilly chairs the Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging & Disability Services. She welcomes input from readers via email (advisorychair@agewisekingcounty.org).

Mark Your Calendars

The following are upcoming events of interest:

• ADS Advisory Council Meeting: Friday, Feb. 13 (noon–2 p.m.); virtual meeting unless otherwise specified. To receive the meeting link and information, email michael.adusah@seattle.gov in advance.

• Civic Coffee: Chronic Disease Management: Monday, Feb. 23 (11 a.m.–12 p.m.) at Yesler Community Center, 917 E. Yesler Way, Seattle, WA, 98122. Or online. Contact agefriendly@seattle.gov for more information.