SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

Program 12

“Don’t isolate yourself from others” 

There is no better way to meet people who share your interests. Open yourself to a program filled with intriguing activities and delightful social events. Choose to participate in as many or few as you please. Our full-time activity manager and volunteer team will plan and organize cultural, educational and social activities to help keep you active every month. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at CONTACT US. 

Educational: 

Many of us think of our school days fondly, often for reasons that have little to do with our classroom experience. We think of football games, band concerts, drama productions, dances, or parties. However, these events and occasions have something in common with the mere classroom time we seem to forget: they all brought us together with our fellow students. 

These memories of people coming together can remind us of a good reason to return to education. Often, the process of growing older can isolate us from each other. As our friends pursue their own destinies, we can lose touch and find ourselves ultimately lacking the human contact we need to survive. Taking classes, particularly at local community colleges, can remedy that problem, bringing us into respectful interaction with all sorts of interesting people. In this way, going back to school—the sheer act of going—can invigorate a life by coming together with like-minded others. 

Did you know that taking a class in just about any subject can improve your cognitive abilities, rejuvenate your memory, and have fun all at the same time? Recent scientific studies clearly show that senior citizens who stay mentally active enjoy all of these rewards. 

Challenging our brains to grow new cells can take place at any age. For that matter, we can build new connections which help our problem-solving abilities as well as memory. The more it is used the better the brain grows.  

SOSOPWORLD’s S&E events program will post all free and low-cost educational opportunities for senior citizens on its website using a monthly calendar. 

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Social Needs 

When a mature person loses a spouse, a close friend, or even a pet, it can be very easy to lose perspective on life. It is all too easy slip into sadness and seclusion and stop relating with people who once filled an important part in daily life. Children (if any) have often moved away and are frequently so heavily involved in their own lives, with work, children and other obligations that they cannot spend a lot of time with their aging parents. Although experiencing loss and loneliness as a senior citizen is difficult, it is not impossible to develop a new social life. A good attitude is a major factor, as is making most of the opportunities that come your way. Here are some ways that you can begin to build a fulfilling social life for yourself that will help you to live meaningfully and with purpose. 

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Building a Social Life  

• Determine what activities they used to enjoy. Did a loss cause them to set aside favorite hobbies or pursuits? Help pick them up from where they left off. Or try new activities with the help of a local club, a group, a local church or even through Internet and library research. Use the local newspaper to keep abreast of upcoming events of interest. Visit university lectures on topics you know nothing about to stretch your imagination and improve your knowledge.  
• Return to keeping fit. While climbing Mt. Everest may no longer be in the cards, there is certainly nothing stopping you from continuing physical activities involving walking clubs, senior’s gym or other fitness activities made available especially for seniors. Staying fit is a sure way to build confidence and regain a healthy outlook on life! 

• Find a buddy. If you feel reluctant to go out on your own or invite a friend or neighbor to attend events with you. Get back into the rhythm of meeting new friends. Little by little, you’ll become less fearful of going out alone. There are many SOSOPWORLD programs that will help you with all your transportation needs. 
• Be open to new suggestions. This may feel uncomfortable at first, especially if it involves new technology. Consider trying new activities that are possible given your level of health and fitness, and that you find interesting. Try not to react negatively to suggestions from others who are only trying to help. Think things through before rejecting new ideas altogether. You may discover something you wished you’d tried earlier. 
• Become a mentor for younger people. Young people are eager and willing learners when they discover that you have knowledge that you are willing to share. Offer your services at local clubs to give talks, to teach a skill or to guide people (museums, zoos, parks etc.). Elderly people are respected for their knowledge; capitalize on this by sharing it. 
• Remain positive. The pain will always be there; that is the nature of loss. You deserve the best after giving so much of yourself to the world. Smile when you’re feeling down. Smiling induces positive chemical changes in the brain and brings us back up. Take in a light movie or rent an old classic to watch at home. Listen to comedy on the radio, check out a humorous book or two from the library and have a good hearty chuckle. Rediscover your sense of humor and your well-being will improve; this is all the more important if you have buried yourself under a load of sadness, self-pity and sorrow. 
• Keep your mind active. Research the Internet for stories of the more challenging things senior citizens are doing; cycling across countries, skiing, writing a first novel, entering the Masters’ Games etc. All these things and more are possible with the right attitude. You are as old as you let yourself be; your dreams are as expansive as you let them be. So, what about all those things you promised yourself you’d do someday? Maybe today is that day. 

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A word to the wise: 

No matter what you’re doing, always offer to help others, and don’t be afraid to ask for help, either. In pursuing new activities and knowledge, they can build a social life simply by sharing their newfound zest for life. 

Some great ideas for activities: 

• Book clubs: Scan the bulletin board at your local library or book store for book clubs that meet periodically and share opinions about a particular book or author. 
• Golf: Visit a recreation golf course or other summer and winter activities in your area. If you can’t find a few seniors or a group, be proactive and start one! 
• Learning new cuisines: There are many community retail stores that sell books, and offer cooking demonstrations or classes, some also specialize in cooking utensils. Check them out and maybe you’ll find a small group of food and cooking enthusiasts and see how fast you’ll make friends and find yourself sharing ideas, recipes and attending “touring” dinners at each other’s homes; even touring a country for its cuisine is not out of the realms of possibility. Move beyond the cuisine you’ve always made and try something completely different. 
• Sewing/Knitting/Crochet/Quilting: These timeless activities are always great hobbies. Check out the local craft or fabric shop for postings on clubs or groups that share these hobbies. Or offer to teach – your skills are in high demand from younger generations rediscovering their utility and relaxing nature. 

• Gardening: This can almost become a job as much as an activity, depending on how much you want to do. Whether it’s just puttering around a small flower bed, or becoming an expert on roses and orchids; gardening is a very popular pastime. Garden clubs abound and many cities have a community garden where individuals maintain their own plot within the garden to plant, nurture and harvest their favorite growing elements. If you are already an experienced gardener, share these skills with others by giving demonstrations or mini-lectures through clubs or botanical gardens. 
• Scrapbooking: You are sure to have years of photos and memorabilia that tell your life’s story! Introduce yourself to this popular activity by attending a scrapping party or taking a class at your local craft retailer. 

“Click here for Professional Help and support” 

Further ideas you might like consider include: 

• Season ticket packages for concerts and/or plays. 
• Painting 
• Building bird houses, making doll clothes, volunteering at your hospital or shelter. 
• Adult education classes. Perhaps you’d like to learn about computers, or obtain your high school diploma or degree. Many facilities offer physical classes such as low-impact jazzercise or yoga. 
• Volunteer at the library to teach adults to read. 

• Join a chess or bridge club. 
• Reading and story-telling to youngsters at the library.  
• Visit your local senior center. Take a trip to learn what activities are offered; something is certain to tickle your fancy. 

Don’t ever think you are all alone; always remember that you have been blessed and that “God helps people who help themselves.” 

Warnings 

Know your physical limitations. Consult with your personal physician prior to beginning a new physical activity. 

If you have difficulty with your eyesight and reading, first ensure that you have the best possible medical attention and eye examinations. Get the most suitable eyeglasses for your needs. Ask for books with large print; these are available at many libraries. It is also possible to increase the size of the font on your computer and Internet; ask someone for help if you cannot work out how to do this yourself. 

“Click here for Professional Help and support” 

WITH RESPECT 

THE SOSOPWORLD TEAM