{"id":146,"date":"2022-02-14T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-14T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ciminocare.com\/grand-river-villa\/?p=146"},"modified":"2022-02-11T01:15:06","modified_gmt":"2022-02-11T01:15:06","slug":"human-connection-and-our-overall-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ciminocare.com\/grand-river-villa\/human-connection-and-our-overall-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Human Connection and Our Overall Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Foster Connection to Live Longer<\/span><\/p>\n

Emerging research<\/a> strengthens the idea that close social and family relationships play a large part in our health as we age. We have learned that adults with strong social connections have lower rates of depression and even enjoy better physical health. Now we are learning just how much quality social relationships can improve health outcomes as we age.<\/p>\n

A recent study<\/a> found that adults with more social ties tend to live longer, despite smoking, drinking, being obese, or not exercising. And this does not change with lower or higher socioeconomic status. Chronic illness, contagious diseases, cancer risk and cognitive decline are reduced when older adults have access to social support, family or community. On the other hand, being isolated or lonely leads to worse physical and mental health outcomes across demographics.<\/p>\n

While we may have a smaller social circle as we age, healthier adults tend to keep a closer set of friends and family, especially spouses, than younger adults. So, it is not necessarily about having more friends, but having close ones. It really is quality over quantity.<\/p>\n

Even if you or an aging loved one are feeling out of touch, especially over the past two years of pandemic isolation, there is good news. No matter your age, building new connections or rekindling past ones can improve physical and mental health. Our brains are adaptive (called neuroplasticity<\/a>) throughout our lifespan, with neurons continuing to grow and change until the end of life in response to different stimuli. As long as you continue to make an effort to increase emotional connection, you can see benefits and improvements in health outcomes throughout your lifespan.<\/p>\n

Ways to Improve Connection<\/span><\/p>\n

So how can you build or maintain strong social ties? At CiminoCare, we encourage residents to join community activities and get to know their neighbors. While it can be difficult being separated from family, there are ways to expand one’s social circle and develop quality connections.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe recognize that one of the greatest gifts we can give residents is the opportunity to connect with each other at mealtimes, art classes or exercise classes. It sounds cliche, but friendships really do blossom.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014 MaryAnn Cimino Shinn, Regional Director, Granddaughter of founder Wilma Cimino<\/em><\/p>\n

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We don\u2019t all have a built-in community at our doorsteps, but you can make new connections and grow existing ones over time. Try these ideas:<\/p>\n