Diverse group of smiling senior people enjoying morning exercises in retirement home

Increasing Your Social Connections

Social connections are important for our health and well-being at any age. As we age, our physical and mental health may decline, which makes social connections essential to our wellness.

Older adults with strong social connections tend be more active, healthy, and happier. Older adults who do not have strong social connections may become isolated and lonely and tend to be less active, healthy, and happy.

Increasing your social connections can be achieved through big and small steps. Below, you will find some ideas on how to meet new people and gain new experiences.

Tips for Increasing Your Social Connections

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Category Tips Ideas for who to Contact
Make and Maintain Connections at Home
  • Set up regular visits or phone calls with friends and family
  • Say “hello” and start a conversation with neighbours or someone you see regularly
  • Learn to say “hello” in different languages
  • Offer your neighbour a ride for errands
  • Check-in on your neighbours
  • Sign-up for Friendly Calling and Friendly Visiting programs
  • Attend a free community meal
  • Local faith-based groups and places of worship
  • Seniors’ centres
  • Connection in Action
Group-based Social Activities
  • Join a support group and meet people with similar experiences
  • Connection in Action
  • Join a cultural social group
  • Cultural associations
  • Local faith-based organizations or places of worship
  • HMC Connections
  • Join a book club, a hobby group, or an interest-based group (ex. cards, bingo, darts, knitting, painting, choir, etc.)
  • Connection in Action
  • Your local library
  • Recreation or seniors’ centres
Physical Activities
  • Join an exercise class
  • Join a sports group
  • Join a walking or hiking group
  • Enroll in a swimming class
  • Join a gardening group
  • Connection in Action
  • Local recreation or seniors’ centre
  • Local faith-based organization or place of worship
Volunteer
  • Volunteer for an organization, program, or service in your area
  • Contact organizations directly to learn about their volunteer opportunities
  • Find information at your local library branch
  • Connection in Action
Events
  • Attend free lectures, education, or workshops on a topic of interest
  • Attend an exhibit tour
  • Join a walking tour
  • Join an organized local trip
  • Attend a community event or festival
Improve Your Skills
  • Join a language conversation circle
  • Improve your technology skills (computer, cell phone, tablet, internet, email, etc.)
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