How To Help Seniors Socialize & Where To Go in East Atlanta

Loneliness and social isolation are serious wellness concerns for seniors throughout the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seniors experiencing loneliness and social isolation have a 50 percent increase in developing dementia and other health concerns.  

While many factors contribute to social isolation and loneliness, one of the biggest barriers is finding ways to stay social as you age. Whether it’s joining a club or finding small ways to interact with others in your daily life, there are plenty of options in Buckhead and surrounding Atlanta communities to socialize and improve your wellness.

Tips For Socializing

Whether you’re shy or out of practice socializing, these tips can help you feel more connected with those around you. 

• Smile: Sometimes, a simple smile is enough to spark a connection with someone that can turn into a fun conversation. 
• Be open: Part of socializing is being open to new people and interactions wherever you are. You never know when you’re going to meet a new friend. 
• Everyday interactions matter: Greeting your favorite barista or talking with someone at the store are small ways to boost your daily socialization.  
• Don’t pressure yourself: Not every interaction has to turn into a friendship or even a long conversation. Have fun talking to people around you, and don’t pressure yourself to have the perfect interaction every time. 

Where To Meet Other Seniors In Atlanta

If you want to build your social circle, put yourself out there and step out of your comfort zone. Below are a few places to consider meeting other seniors and possibly making new friends – or just to have a little human interaction for the day.

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System Events

The library is a great place to borrow books and find free resources, but it’s also an excellent way to meet new people. The library hosts a bunch of events every month, many of which are free and open to the public. Events include book clubs, author meetings, crafts, and technology help courses. And books give you an automatic talking point in case you feel a bit uneasy about starting a conversation.

Take a look at the full events calendar for the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and find a few upcoming activities you’d like to join at your locations of choice. 

Volunteering

Volunteering can be a healing experience for everyone involved. Volunteering provides an outlet for older adults to have purpose and feel useful, as they are. Atlanta and the surrounding areas have many volunteer organizations you can get involved in, such as CASA, which works with children in foster care, or Girls of Excellence, a mentorship program for young girls in Atlanta. Plus, most organizations have volunteer training programs, so you can help out even if you don’t have previous volunteer experience. The Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services has a list of volunteer ideas designed to help local seniors. What a fantastic way to not only connect with fellow community members, but to also provide them the socialization and companionship they value.

Active Older Adults Club

The YMCA of Metro Atlanta hosts many programs for active adults, no matter your fitness level. You can choose from various land and water-based group exercise classes such as chair yoga or swim classes. They also host senior-focused events, like coffee meetups and book clubs, so you can get to know your gym buddies outside of your workout. 

Alpharetta Golden Age Club

About 30 minutes from Atlanta is the Alpharetta Golden Age Club. This program provides quality programming for seniors to help them stay connected with the community. Programs include wellness events, workouts, game days, travel excursions, and more. There is a $15 annual membership fee, but building your social circle is worth the price. 

How Visiting Angels Can Help

Visiting Angels is a locally owned and operated home care agency dedicated to helping seniors live independently. One of our primary services is companion care, which, aside from helping with basic household tasks, helps seniors build meaningful connections. 

Our caregivers provide basic companionship, take clients to local events, help schedule outings, and assist with technology for video calls. Anything caregivers can do to improve the social life of their clients, they’ll do.   

Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation and discover how Visiting Angels can work with you.