Wednesday, July 10, 2024
From the time you’re born, your relationships help you learn to navigate the world. You learn how to interact with others, express yourself, practice everyday health habits, and become a part of different communities around you. Positive social habits can help you build support systems and stay healthier mentally and physically. Social Wellness Month is an initiative that promotes the importance of social well-being and the positive impact it has on our overall health and happiness. It aims to raise awareness about the significance of maintaining healthy relationships, fostering connections, and engaging in social activities.
As we age, social wellness is particularly crucial. Changes to health and circumstances can sometimes lead to social isolation or feelings of loneliness, which has an adverse effect on our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Healthy relationships and positive connections with others provide social support, protecting our mental health. Each of these aspects of our wellness are interconnected.
One program that helps with social connection and mental wellness, especially for those who are homebound is Friendly Visiting. Friendly Visiting provides regular visits by volunteers focused on developing friendship and engaging in enjoyable and purposeful activities together. Another format of this program is Telephone Reassurance, which provides phone calls that offer a friendly chat, a security check, and informal assistance. This program benefits both the volunteer and the program participants by cultivating valuable social relationships.
Watch this video interview of a Friendly Visiting Program participant sharing what the program means to them. [link to this 6.21 Virtual]
There are many ways AgeGuide and its funded partners promote engagement and increase social connection for older adults and caregivers. You can find a list of resources and links below.
Get Connected to Services and Resources in Your Community!
