Understanding the Importance of Socialization for Seniors—and Human Beings in General

1. [INSERT IMAGE HERE] [INSERT IMAGE HERE] Understanding the Importance of Socialization for Seniors—and Human Beings in General Legacy Retirement 1018 W. Atherton Drive Taylorsville, UT 84123 (801) 269-0700

2. It has been said time and time again—no man is an island. It doesn‟t matter if one gets stranded on an uninhabited island by himself; though he can technically live alone, he‟ll seek some form of companionship in any way possible. It‟s the explanation why Tom Hanks‟ character in the movie Castaway had the volleyball he calls “Wilson” as his companion. It‟s the explanation why prisoners who spent years in solitary confinement end up insane. Isolation, in one form or another, really does mess up the mind. When seniors end up alone, bad things happen. Socialization is as vital for senior citizens as basic human needs like food, water, and shelter, and that‟s putting it lightly. With the elderly, a lack of social support negatively affects overall health and well-being. At their advanced age, the damages are far worse. Reversing the situation by employing positive social interaction contributes to both psychological and physical wellness. This is evidenced by constant stress relief, as well as lowered risks of psychological issues like depression and anxiety. In the end, these are the reasons retiree communities are far better for senior citizens than completely independent living arrangements. Still, the age-old question stands: why do we need each other?

3. Human Beings are ‘Hardwired’ to Connect Let‟s start by a straightforward claim: yes, human beings are biologically hardwired to connect with other people. A study in The Journal of Neuroscience proves this. According to the research, brain images showed increased activity in specific brain regions when participants saw pictures of themselves, and thought about themselves as well as when they thought about their acquaintances. In other words, the brains are meant to identify and „get‟ our friends, which is likely a result of making sure our predominantly social species survive. The study also took note of another interesting phenomenon. It was revealed that the brain regions which lit up at the thought of friends are largely associated with emotions. Researchers identified the medial prefrontal cortex (located at the front-most part of the brain) as one of these regions; one that‟s responsible for controlling human social cognition and behavior. According to the researchers, they think that the brain network involved in this is tied to one‟s understanding of the importance of another person to oneself. What Society is Doing About this Matter There‟s an estimated 15,000 senior citizen centers across the nation, serving as a focal point for elderly Americans to benefit from senior welfare services. Banking on the importance of social connections, these centers offer various services such as health programs, arts/humanities activities, and volunteer/education opportunities among others—all Administered correctly, the programs greatly help the elderly by promoting positive self-awareness. predominantly social undertakings. The importance of social connections must never be understated, especially in the case of senior citizens. They‟ll need every bit of social interaction possible for them to live healthy lives and improve their overall well-being. After all, it‟s what nature made us for.

4. Sources: http://www.legacyretire.com/ http://www.aasc.org/news/articles/2011/038_Senior_Socialization_Leads_to_Better_Quality_of_Li fe.php http://www.livescience.com/8774-brains-hard-wired-connect-friends.html