Engaging in senior living in Des Moines may improve your emotional, mental, and physical health. You can find Des Moines senior activities through your local assisted living community.
According to six years of data from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, about one-third of seniors aged 50 to 80 feel lonely. Nearly as many feel isolated. Social isolation and loneliness may increase your risk of chronic health conditions, including Alzheimer's and heart disease.
Conversely, engaging with members of your community could renew your sense of purpose and belonging in life. Senior living in Des Moines offers opportunities for socializing and connectivity.
What is the importance of social wellness for seniors, and what Des Moines senior activities are available? Read on to find out!
According to the National Institute on Aging, loneliness and social isolation may increase your risk of mental and physical health conditions. These include:
Forging strong emotional connections can give you a sense of purpose and belonging within your community. This may help extend your longevity.
Prioritizing social wellness for seniors may help:
You can foster senior friendships by engaging in daily community life for aging adults. Try:
Don't be afraid to break the ice first. Other seniors around you may feel shy or uncertain about initiating a conversation. Try to stay open-minded as you meet new people.
To strengthen relationships, invite people over for meals or coffee. Try bonding over a book, movie, or shared hobby.
Remain patient. Some seniors may need time to warm up to new friends. Interact regularly to turn these acquaintances into new friends.
You can find Des Moines senior activities through your community's exclusive lifestyle programs. These include:
Check your senior living community's events and activities calendar. Popular Des Moines senior activities can include:
Engaging in hobbies may improve your outlook on life. You can renew your sense of purpose as you complete projects.
According to Healthline, potential health benefits of engaging in hobbies include:
Use these hobbies to make new friends. You can bond over your shared interests and complete projects together.
Your senior living community may offer group exercise classes through their fitness program. These may include:
Participating in exercise classes with friends may improve your accountability.Consider joining a walking or hiking group. Walking together may help:
Try exploring a mix of aerobic, flexibility, and strength training classes. Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic activity and two strength training sessions a week.
Explore your community's dining program and ask friends to join you during meals. Eating together may encourage you to make healthier decisions. Your friends can also encourage you to try new dishes and cuisines.
For emotional support in Iowa, consider volunteering or joining a support group.
Volunteering can renew your sense of purpose within your community. Joining a support group can help you gain healthy coping skills. You can lean on other seniors who understand what you're experiencing.
Try to socialize with other seniors at least once a day. Socializing more often may help extend your lifespan.
To socialize regularly, explore your senior living community's events and activities calendar. You can find daily opportunities to make new friends.
As you start making new friends, follow up. Invite them to attend social events or meals with you. Nurturing these relationships can help you build lasting friendships.
Individual risk factors for social isolation may include:
Consider moving into a Des Moines senior living community if you're facing risk factors or feeling lonely. Surrounding yourself by a community may help reduce your risk.
Socializing may benefit your mental, physical, and emotional wellness. It could enhance your health and quality of life. Consider engaging in senior living in Des Moines to connect with members of your community.
Remember, you can find opportunities to engage with other seniors through your community. Addington Place of Des Moines proudly ranks number one in Customer Satisfaction Among Assisted Living & Memory Care Communities in the JD Power 2025 US Senior Living Satisfaction Study.
Discover our exclusive lifestyle programs, including chef-prepared homestyle meals with attentive tableside service, activities like cooking classes and live music performances, and fitness classes like yoga. Contact us now to schedule your tour.