Neighbor News
Consider This! Senior Advice Columnist Talks about Having Friends
The Beatles sang about getting a little help from your friends. The advise is still good today in a different way for older Americans.
We get by with a little help from our friends
Have you taken your Vitamin F today? If you’re wondering what Vitamin F might be, you might be interested to know that TV’s Dr. Oz refers to friends as Vitamin F and counts friendship as one of vital components in the total picture of our well being. In fact, most doctors agree that social relationships are good for our health.
I’ve found in my own life that the warmth of friendship can help counteract stress and can even help me feel younger so I was not surprised to learn some interesting facts about friendship in an article in Time magazine. Did you know for instance that severe social isolation is at least as deadly as smoking—and may even double your risk of early death? The article also pointed out that people who have strong relationships with others are at lower risk for a whole host of illnesses including heart disease and stroke.
And did you know that friendships and/or family connections can reduce your risk of early death more than exercising or avoiding obesity does? Finally, the article reports that seniors with the most active social connections had a 70 percent reduction in the rate of cognitive decline, compared with their less social peers.
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An important part of life at a retirement community, such as The Summit of Uptown, is the focus on making new friends and sharing life experiences with kindred souls. Whether playing cards, festive parties or educational experiences, any activity is enhanced by sharing it with someone else and new friends can join the circle of those who are already part of your life.
Programs at The Summit, which provides seniors with both independent and assisted retirement living service, are always open to members of the community and offer a wonderful way to learn about retirement living and to meet new people.
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For questions and comments, write to me at The Summit of Uptown, 10 N. Summit Ave., Park Ridge, Ill 60068, or send an email to audrey@summitofuptown.com. Let me know the ways you’ve found to keep up your social connections, so that I can share them in future columns.
To find out more about services, activities and amenities at The Summit of Uptown, visit www.summitofuptown.com or call 847-825-1161 to schedule a personalized tour of our completely renovated community.
