Social Engagement

Though it’s not uncommon for older adults to live their later years in age-segregated communities, either by choice or by necessity, there’s also something to be said about mixing it up with younger people. In fact, the concept of an intergenerational friendship- that is, having a friend who is at…

No doubt you know that people are living longer these days than in previous decades, something of a public health success for our country. In fact, the average life span of an American these days is 79 years and there’s a growing cohort of older adults who now live much…

Is there a difference between being alone and being lonely? At this point, so many older adults are alone, vulnerable to the health consequences that are more likely as a solo ager and without the supports that typically allow an older adult to remain active and engaged. But does being…

A recent national survey of older adults living alone, conducted by AARP, found both good and not-so-good news when it comes to seniors aging “solo.” About 10% of the US population over age 50 are “solo agers” and for women over age 75, that number jumps to 42%. It’s a…

We’ve noted previously that despite the vicissitudes and life-altering events that can happen as one gets on in age, most older adults experience a period of happiness and contentment in their later years. In fact, a recent study published in the Psychological Bulletin found that subjective well-being varies across the…

There’s no doubt that our population is aging. And as a larger percentage of us get older, it’s important to understand how we can prolong our cognitive abilities and protect our brains from the ravages of dementia. After all, age is the major risk factor for Alzheimer’s, and projections are…