A sad but inevitable part of growing older is that old friends may pass away and making new friends is not easy. As a recent article in Kaiser Health News points out, acquiring new friends, especially into our later years, can be a daunting task. Yet we also know how important social engagement is as we age, especially for maintaining memory and cognitive function. As an example, take a look at this recent study out of Ohio State University, which examined the role of social networks in preserving memory.

So, how to sustain long-time friendships and build new ones? For some suggestions, take a look at the wisdom of these TED Talk speakers, whose advice ranges from having the courage to give up grudges and outdated beliefs to prioritizing friendships over political or philosophical differences. Or, if close friendships are not in the cards for you, it’s clear that even casual connections can provide important health and psychological benefits for seniors. So whether it’s at the check-out line or with friends in your own home, it’s important to remember to build and sustain social connections.