Connectivity and Networking

Frequently, older persons become disconnected from friends and family and isolated in their residences. Often ageing can brings about a lack of confidence and withdrawal from activities and a fear of the outdoor environment.

All the Elders I interviewed had maintained social, professional and health related connections. They advised me that they had spent many years developing these friendships and they saw it as a critical part of their life to maintain these connections.

Networks develop from our school days, sporting pursuits, and professional relationships. Retaining the more successful relationships is important to our well-being as it provides stability and moral support when we have issues to deal with. As important, clubs, watering holes, or coffee shops can assist in providing purpose and a means of support, giving us something to look forward to each day.

Having an established health network is also very important. A General Practitioner who knows our health history, a cardiologist that can keep our heart ticking over, a sports medicine doctor who can look after injuries, a physiologist who can help resolve ageing issues and a massage therapist who can keep us finely tuned, all play an important role in the ageing process.

In summary, do not underestimate the benefits that flow from maintaining the connections and using the networks that have been a part of your life. Socialising with friends is an important part of our DNA and an important component of ageing successfully.