Relationships Are The Secret to Healthy Ageing

The loneliness epidemic was highlighted as a major public health crisis by United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. This issue extends to Singapore as well as a study by CARE, the Centre for Ageing Research and Education at Duke-NUS Medical School, found that approximately 40% of individuals aged 62 and above reported being lonely, effects of which can be detrimental to one’s mental health and presents itself as a roadblock in aging healthily. Therefore, building strong bonds and relationships with those around us can aid in alleviating the negative impact of loneliness for people across generations. Fulfilling relationships, along with the social and emotional support they offer, help protect older adults from the challenges of aging, including declining health, cognitive changes, and potential social losses.

Making friends as a working or older adult could be easier said than done.

So how do you take the first step in building lasting relationships?

1. Building relationships takes time and effort so make sure you are able and available to carve out time in your schedule to reach out to people and give them your undivided attention. 

2. Join groups that meet up regularly! Take the opportunity to meet up with like-minded people who share the same interests as you. 

3. Take a look at your current network of friends, acquaintances, and even neighbours or colleagues and identify if there is anyone you can reconnect and catch up with.

4. Be spontaneous! Accept invitations to attend events and parties. Not only will this strengthen existing relationships, but also lead you to develop new ones when you meet new people. 

5. Stay open to new possibilities and keep trying, even if the right friendships haven’t formed yet! Be prepared to keep trying. It may take some time to find a relationship that clicks.

   
   

Reintroducing yourself to the world and making new connections is a daunting task but can also be extremely rewarding. You can form a long lasting bond with a new friend, and gain valuable practice in starting conversations with new people, improving your chances of forming strong relationships in the future.

Written by: Sanjana

11/2024

References

Care At Home Services. (n.d.). The importance of having meaningful relationships as we age. https://careathomeservices.ca/the-importance-of-having-meaningful-relationships-as-we-age/

Chan, A. (2023, July 11). Commentary: Loneliness is an overlooked public health challenge in ageing Singapore. CNA. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/senior-loneliness-mortality-risk-ageing-public-health-crisis-3615171

Headspace. (n.d.). How to make friends as an adult. https://www.headspace.com/articles/make-friends-as-adult

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Maintaining healthy relationships is important as we age. https://sncs-prod-external.mayo.edu/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/maintaining-healthy-relationships-is-important-as-we-age

Psychology Today. (2024, April 11). If you’re craving quality friendships, these strategies could help. https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/blog/mindful-dating/202403/10-key-strategies-for-making-friends-as-an-adult

Selig, M. (2022, November 7). Finding it harder to make friends as you age? Try these tips. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/blog/changepower/202211/12-ways-make-friends-in-mid-life-and-beyond

Social Relationships - Center for Healthy Aging. (2021, November 23). Center for Healthy Aging. https://www.research.colostate.edu/healthyagingcenter/aging-basics/social-relationships/#:~:text=Emotionally%20gratifying%20relationships%20and%20the,functioning%2C%20or%20possible%20social%20losses