Senior Friendly Activities to Combat Social Isolation in St. Louis Park Minnesota

As we age, our ability to build and maintain new relationships becomes challenging. With that in mind, it’s no surprise nearly one third of seniors adults suffer from loneliness and isolation according to a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. A lack of social interaction may not seem like a health risk, but loneliness has been linked to several health concerns including dementia and depression.

Importance of Social Wellness for Seniors

Social wellness refers to your ability to build relationships and interact with others. Humans are social creatures, and it is important for us to build and maintain supportive relationships. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person who experiences social isolation has a greater risk of premature death. They also have a 50 percent increased risk of dementia, a 29 percent increased risk of heart disease and a 32 percent increased risk of stroke.

Senior Programs and Activities near St. Louis Park Minnesota

If you are feeling isolated and want to find ways to interact with others, there are plenty of activities near St. Louis Park for you to enjoy.

• Learn something new on an online course. The Lenox Community Center hosts the Louis Park Senior Program through the City of St. Louis Park and St. Louis Park Community Education. Seniors in St. Louis Park aged 50 years and older can sign up for several online courses such as yoga, financial analysis planning, introductions to social media and more. Not only will you be learning a new skill, but you will also be virtually interacting with classmates and instructors, eliminating feelings of isolation.
• Get your body moving in a group workout course. Not only does strong physical health improve your overall mood and emotional well-being, but workout classes are a great place to meet new people. Look for a low-impact workout class such as yoga at Up Yoga or go swimming at Lifetime Fitness.
• Join a book club. Stimulate your mind and discuss a good book with likeminded individuals in a book club. You can sign up for a local book club such as Feminist Book Club or connect with national readers through the New York Public Library’s Virtual Book Club.

Family-Friendly Halloween Activities near St. Louis Park

With the holidays approaching, it is a great time reach out to aging loved ones. If there is a senior in your life who you feel may be experiencing loneliness, invite them to spend time with you and your family on one of these family-friendly Halloween adventures.

• Visit a nearby pumpkin patch. Gather your family and enjoy some fresh air while picking pumpkins at your local pumpkin farm. Not big on decorating pumpkins? No problem. Most pumpkin farms have games, food, corn mazes and other activities to keep everyone in the family occupied. Some popular pumpkin farms near St. Louis Park include Dehn’s Pumpkin Patch, Waldoch Farm and Barten Pumpkins.
• Dress up for the Westwood's Halloween party. Enjoy a walk on Mother Nature’s Trail and meet nature-themed characters at Westwood’s 39^th Annual Halloween party. Be sure to wear properly fitted shoes and be conscience of where you are walking to minimizing your changes of falling.
• Hop in the car for drive-thru tick-or-treating. The pandemic has made traditional trick-or-treating less safe for many families. Instead of walking from house-to-house, decorate your car and take a spin through Edina’s HalloBoon Drive. The route starts at the Edina Art Center and goes to Roseland Park. At the end of the route, the is an option for door-to-door trick-or-treating near the Edina Aquatic Center.
• Listen to a spooky ghost story. Visit the Boerboom Park in Osseo to enjoy family-friendly performances of famous ghost stories from Edgar Allen Poe, The Brothers Grimm and Oscar Wilde. The event is free with a suggested $10 donation.

How Visiting Angels Can Help

The passionate caregivers at Visiting Angels understand the importance of social well-being. If you or a loved one needs assistance in building better social habits, our team is here to help. We can assist with anything from transportation to and from outings, to tutorials of computer skills for virtual meetups or an online course. If you live in St. Louis Park or a surrounding area and would like to learn more about how Visiting Angels can assist you and your family, give us a call at 952-935-0789.