Social connection

Health benefits

Research suggests that the effects of social isolation and loneliness can be more harmful to your health than other well-known risk factors such as smoking and being a heavier weight.

When you connect with others, it can:

• protect you from depression and anxiety
• lower your risk of cardiovascular disease
• reduce the risk of diabetes
• promote physical activity
• help protect your cognitive health and reduce your risk of dementia
• improve your ability to cope with stress
• improve your sleep, wellbeing and overall quality of life.

Changes that affect your social connection

As you get older, changes in your life can make it harder to maintain social connections.

Friendships

You may drift away from friends as life takes you in different directions. Over time, some friends may even pass away, leaving a space that’s hard to fill.

How you feel

You may develop health conditions that make it hard to catch up with people in your life. If you are in pain, you may not feel motivated to socialise.

If you are shy, have low self-confidence or social anxiety, it can be difficult to interact with other people, especially if you’re trying new things on your own.

Where you live

You may downsize your home and move to a new suburb. It can take time to get to know your community and connect with new social groups.

If you live in remote or rural locations, it can be hard to get around and meet new people.

What you can do

There are lots of ways to build social connections as you get older. For example, you can:

• walk your dog (or someone else’s)
• pop in to see someone you know
• learn a new sport (e.g. golf, tennis, cycling, bowls)
• join walking or bushwalking groups
• enrol in a short course
• start a new hobby (e.g. singing, craft, gardening, art, yoga).

You can also:

• invite people over for regular catch-ups (e.g. card games)
• travel with a group
• visit your local community centre
• volunteer in your local community (e.g. homeless support, community visits, library book deliveries, Meals on Wheels, mentoring)
• join a local religious group.

If limited mobility stops you from staying socially connected, a mobility aid such as a walking frame or stick might help. Talk to your doctor, an occupational therapist or My Aged Care about supports available.

Tips to make new social connections

• Introduce yourself to different people at social events.
• Keep going to regular activities, such as classes or catch-ups, so people get to know you.
• Be willing to talk about yourself – and listen to others.
• Swap contact information with people you like.
• Ask to catch up again if you liked meeting someone.

Apps and social platforms

You can connect with people via apps and social platforms. For example:

• Amintro connects you to people aged over 50 with similar interests.
• Stitch helps people aged over 50 to connect and make friends.
• Meetup has a list of events you can join in your local area.

Local community groups

Find a local community group that has activities you like to do. For example, visit:

• your local council
• Clubs of Australia – lists over 36,000 clubs around Australia
• Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association (ANHCA) – to find a Neighbourhood House or Community Centre near you
• Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) – to find multicultural community services across Australia
• My Aged Care – for help with social connection, including transport to and from events if needed
• Village Hubs – helping people to age well in their community
• Adult Learning Australia – for a learning course in your community
• U3A – for online courses
• Rotary International – to get involved in meaningful projects
• Heart Foundation Walking – to find a local walking group.

Other resources

Volunteering can be enjoyable and rewarding. It’s also a great way to make new friends. Visit the Volunteering Australia website for volunteering opportunities.

The Friendline service keeps older people connected via free, friendly phone calls with volunteers.

Visit the Australian government positive ageing website for information about how to live and age well.