When you start envisioning your retirement lifestyle, what do you see?
A vibrant atmosphere filled with good friends, stimulating activities and lots of opportunities for pursuing lifelong wellness? Do you see yourself meeting new people and building new relationships?
Or do you wonder if you’ll be primarily alone, isolated from the “action”, feeling set apart and lonely? When you consider that many people will spend 25 percent of their life in active retirement years, it’s an important topic to consider. Statistics will tell you…social interaction is not only a lot more fun than sitting alone, it’s imperative for your good health and wellness. In fact, people 60+ are most likely to cite “loving family and friends” as extremely important to their happiness.
According to The National Institute on Aging, social relationships are consistently linked to health and wellness.Having a positive social life has been associated with lower levels of an inflammatory factor implicated in age-related disorders such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and some forms of cancer. The Harvard School of Public Health found evidence that older adults in the U.S. who have an active social life may have a slower rate of memory decline.
Being around people you care for also can boost your immune system and raise your “feel good” hormones, giving you focus, energy and optimism. It also can reduce stress and pain. Studies show holding hands or even a brief hug can lower blood pressure and the positive effects last all day!
Social isolation and loneliness, on the other hand, can affect an older individual on both a physical and emotional level, even serving as a risk factor for morbidity and mortality.
It’s just better for you to be around people who care about you, and have friends close by who share your experiences. That’s why at The Carrington at Lincolnwood, we have created a carefree lifestyle for those who enjoy active independence with more fun, more friends and more freedom—and fewer daily worries.
In our community, engaging in social interaction is easy to do. And it’s more than just saying hello in the hallway! Think wine tastings in our sports bar. Visiting area attractions as a group. Discussing a bestseller in the library. Meeting a neighbor each day for a morning walk. joining other dog owners in Carrington’s dog park. Dining with friends in the Bistro.
Here, every individual has the opportunity to realize his or her greatest potential for positive, self-directed living—and have fun doing it! The Carrington at Lincolnwood sets the stage for you to stay connected to the people, places and pleasures that you cherish, while offering you new opportunities for growth, connection and choice.
