How to make friends and socialise as you age
Being social when you’re 50 and older might not look quite the same as it did when you were 25, but the fun and shenanigans you can get up to with close mates truly has no age limit.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of socialising, and how you can continue being a social butterfly for many years to come.
The benefits of social interaction
It feels good to chat late into the night with a friend, to catch up over a coffee, take a walk together, or enjoy a shared whinge over taxes. But there are genuine scientific benefits, too.
Social connection is a core psychological need, as found by a recent New Zealand study conducted around the effects of COVID-19 and isolation, and how it affects people in an older age group. The study says, “People need to feel they belong to a group and generally feel close to other people.” This is because of our evolutionary history – we are designed to live closely with other humans.
The Age Concern New Zealand group has a resource with lots of helpful links to combat loneliness, and luckily finds that while the majority of New Zealanders are not overly lonely, there is still a proportion of us that need more connection opportunities. So, what are they?
Programs and ideas for staying social
Staying social might be easier than you think – there are plenty of others out there in the same boat after all. Here are a few ideas.
Join community or social clubs
There are more than 300 clubs listed on Clubs NZ. These are largely social groups that gather for beverages, nibbles, gaming, fishing, and a bit of everything in between. If you’re iffy about joining, pick a few near you and contact each one to find out more about what the meet ups are like and what you can expect before you attend.
You can also look online (try Google and Facebook) for hobby and interest groups near you. Walking groups, book clubs and sport clubs are fairly common, and all typically welcome beginners, so you definitely don’t need to be an expert in your hobby to join.
Volunteering and community involvement
There are plenty of groups and communities desperate for volunteers – any of them would be happy (and lucky) to have you.
Volunteering New Zealand and other volunteering directories can help to connect keen volunteers with volunteering opportunities, and allow you to search based on your location, interests, and availability.
You can also get in touch with your favourite charities such as the SPCA, Women’s Refuge, Salvation Army, or emergency services, to see if they need a hand.
Getting out and volunteering is great for your community but can also introduce you to new people.
Employment
Many of us find our closest friends at work, so it’s no surprise that almost half our Working Seniors Report survey respondents (48%) said that a major benefit of continuing to work past retirement is remaining social.
That doesn’t have to mean a full-time 9-5 job. From part-time work to the occasional shift here and there, employment could help you maintain social connections (as well as a bit of spending money).
Senior centres
Senior clubs are just social clubs for more mature people, and can be a great way to meet like-minded locals.
Selwyn Centres, is an example where they offer weekly get-togethers for over 65s for a bit of fun, advice, and support.
Tips for maintaining a social life
Unsure how to maintain those social connections? You can start by reconnecting with past friendships, and by taking advantage of modern technology.
How to reconnect with your past
Reconnecting with your past is like making friends on easy mode. After all, you’ve already made the connection – you just have to refresh it.
You can aim to catch up with a big group of friends at once by hosting an event such as a reunion, or even a casual BBQ at your place.
Or you can single people out and focus on each one separately with a thoughtful birthday card in the mail, or an invite to catch up.
Taking advantage of technology
Technology can be both a hindrance and a help when it comes to socialising. On one hand, it can make it feel like you’re staying in touch when all you’re really doing is dropping a ‘like’ or a comment on someone’s post. In fact, two in five New Zealand seniors (40%) have embraced modern technology more due to their experience through the COVID-19 pandemic, according to our Digital Trends Report from 2022.
On the other hand, it can make it much easier to reach out and set up real catch ups, or even just a quick call.
From social media such as Facebook to connection tools like WhatsApp, there are many ways to connect – we all just have to remember to take those connections offline occasionally as well.
Protecting the people we love the most
Connections with loved ones should always be cherished. It’s why so many choose to protect their family members with life insurance, so if anything should happen to them, their loved ones could receive a payout to help cover anything from ongoing bills to a fitting funeral.
29 Aug 2023