An Apartment Therapy writer asked Facebook friends how to help an increasingly isolated father make friends. Ideas for adults over 65 include exercise, volunteering, local clubs, group travel, reconnecting with old friends and accepting invitations.
Silver Sneakers, available at no cost through select Medicare plans, has more than 15,000 participating locations, including YMCAs, gyms and community centers. The article also points to AARP’s network of more than 50,000 volunteers, which offers remote opportunities, and free Meetup groups.
The writer says their father was once highly sociable but has become isolated. The article cites the National Institute on Aging as saying social isolation can harm older adults’ mental health by triggering chronic stress, reducing cognitive stimulation and increasing the risk of depression and anxiety.
