Staying social in retirement is key to wellbeing

“Often when we approach retirement, funds are top of mind, but our social well-being is just as important with evidence indicating retirees who remain social through group activities improve their overall well-being,” says Ms Maestracci, writing in the latest COTA WA newsletter.

“Loneliness often creeps up on us, with our children and neighbours moving away, seniors suddenly find they are alone and unsure how to remedy this feeling”.

She writes that emotional loneliness is highest in Australians aged 75 or above, and that recent results from a representative Australian sample found 46% of Australians aged 65 or above felt they lacked companionship at least sometimes.

Correlation between loneliness and physical health has been found, with a greater risk of premature mortality, coronary heart disease, strokes and dementia.

Here are Judith Maestracci’s top tips to stay social, happy, and healthy in retirement:

• Join a social group

• Travel with a group

• Become a volunteer

• Go Back to school

• Join a gym class

• Use social media to track down old friends

• Walk and Talk with a Walking group

• Flex your green thumb

• Share your skills with your grandchildren

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