With a little help from your friends

27 Mar 2017

Sunday 26 March was Neighbourhood Day, and this year’s theme is the importance of social connection for the elderly.

“Loneliness is a growing epidemic not only in Australia but all over the world, and we know that it impacts many older people,” says Alison Brook, National Executive Officer of Relationships Australia.

Studies show that people who take the time to build social connections with the people around them have reduced rates of depression and anxiety. According to beyondblue, reducing loneliness can also reduce the risk of physical ailments including obesity, high blood pressure and dementia. This research is particularly important for people of retirement age because they are less likely to have the regular social contact of going to work every day.

There are a number of things you can do to recover from loneliness or prevent it altogether.

A recent report by the British Medical Journal found a “strong positive association between volunteering and both physical and mental health”. Sharyn Broer, CEO of Meals on Wheels SA, says the findings confirm research conducted by the Australian Meals on Wheels Association that found volunteering contributes significantly to a person’s health and wellbeing. 

“What was interesting is that while everyone who volunteered scored better on a mental wellbeing scale, it was from the age of 40 that mental health and wellbeing improved ‘significantly’ and then went on to peak at the age of 76 to 80,” she says.

“Quite apart from the altruistic benefits, our volunteers say being part of the Meals on Wheels team is genuinely engaging and they never really know what life story is behind the next door.”

Volunteering is a great way to connect with others and create a sense of purpose and belonging, but it isn’t the only way. According to beyondblue, group activities in general help reduce and protect against loneliness.

“We feel better when we belong,” says Allison Brook. “Social connectedness is key to combatting loneliness.”

“Community participation activities such as taking an active interest in current affairs; regularly socialising with household members, friends, extended family and neighbours; and taking part in organised community activities have been associated with improved psychological wellbeing.” 

Even though Neighbour Day may be over for another year, it’s not too late to build the social connections that will see you through 2017 and beyond. If you haven’t already, join your local Probus club to get involved. To find your nearest club, click here.