Who said your social life has an expiration date?
Turning 70 isn’t the end of connectionâitâs the perfect chance to redefine what meaningful relationships look like. New friendships, shared hobbies, and even unexpected sparks can bloom at this stage⌠if you’re willing to break out of routine.
đĄ Ready to reignite your social calendar and feel more alive than ever?
TIP 1: Make Social Wellness a Key Part of Healthy Aging
When we think about healthy aging, we usually picture things like balanced meals, physical activity, or regular check-ups. But what about your emotional heart? Your sense of connection? Thatâs where social wellness comes inâand itâs just as important.
What is social wellness, exactly?
Itâs not just about having people around you. Itâs about feeling truly connected, heard, valued. Itâs about sharing laughs, stories, mealsâand sometimes, silenceâwith others who care.
đ Hereâs why it matters:
- Studies show that seniors with strong social ties have lower risks of depression, cognitive decline, and even chronic illness.
- Human connection releases oxytocinâa powerful hormone linked to joy, calm, and resilience.
- Social engagement actually improves immune system function and even extends lifespan.
đ So how do you put it into action?
Try this weekly social wellness checklist:
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Invite someone to share a meal or coffeeâeven virtually.
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Ask an old friend how theyâve been (bonus: send a photo or memory).
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Join a local group, class, or faith community that aligns with your interests.
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Practice active listening in your daily conversationsâshow others youâre present.
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Say âyesâ to one new experience this week. It can be as small as a chat with a neighbor.
đ Try this reflection prompt:
âWhat moment of connection this week made me smile? How can I create more of those?â
đŻ Quick Tip:
Treat social wellness like medicine. A daily dose of connection can do more for your heart than any pill.
TIP 2: Connect, Chat, and Share: Technology for Seniors Who Want to Stay Social
You may have left the workplace behind, but your social life? Thatâs just getting started.
Technology today isnât just for the youngâitâs for the young at heart. Whether you’re looking to laugh with loved ones, make new friends, or learn something new, digital tools can keep your social calendar full and your heart connected.
In fact, using technology to stay socially active is one of the smartest things you can do for your health. It reduces feelings of loneliness, sharpens your mind, and helps you maintain a sense of independence and purpose.
5 Smart (and Fun) Ways to Stay Connected After 70 Using Technology (h3)
đ 1. Bring Loved Ones Closer with Video Calls
Video calls are the next best thing to being in the same room. A quick chat with your daughter or grandkids can turn a quiet afternoon into a joyful one.
- Apps youâll love: FaceTime (for iPhone/iPad), Zoom (great for group chats), WhatsApp (super simple), or Google Meet (no downloads required).
- Pro tip: Ask a loved one to set up a recurring weekly call. You can even turn it into a âvirtual brunch,â âstory time,â or âtech help hour.â
đŹ âJust seeing their faces makes me feel part of their world again.â
đ 2. Join Online Groups Based on Your Interests
Whether you love gardening, jazz, painting, or crossword puzzles, there are digital spaces full of people who share your passions.
- Try Facebook Groups for neighborhood chats or niche hobbies.
- Use Meetup.com to find virtual events for seniorsâmany are free or donation-based.
- Explore Senior Planet or GetSetUp, platforms designed specifically for older adults.
đą New friendships can bloom online just like in a gardenâif you plant the first seed.
đ§ 3. Play Social Games That Keep Your Mind Sharp
Games aren’t just for funâthey’re a fantastic way to stay mentally active and socially engaged.
- Words With Friends lets you play Scrabble-style games with friends (or strangers who might become friends).
- Bridge Base Online is a favorite for card lovers.
- Chess.com or Scrabble GO offer both friendly and competitive matches with chat options.
- Even Facebook has mini-games that connect you with friends.
đ˛ Challenge someone to a match and share a laughâwin or lose, you stay connected.
đ˛ 4. Use Messaging Apps to Stay Part of the Daily Conversation
Being part of a group chat makes you feel included in everyday life. Whether itâs a family thread sharing baby photos or a chat with old college friends, these apps keep the banter going.
- WhatsApp is ideal for family and international friends.
- Messenger (by Facebook) lets you chat without needing a phone number.
- Telegram is another easy, private option.
đ You can send a voice note, a photo, or a quick âthinking of youââand itâs enough to make someoneâs day (or yours).
đ¨ 5. Take Virtual Classes That Feed Your Soul and Expand Your Circles
Retirement is the perfect time to growânot just older, but wiser. Online learning platforms let you join live classes, connect with instructors, and meet fellow learners.
- GetSetUp offers classes on everything from cooking to tai chi, all designed for seniors.
- Oasis Everywhere has fun and educational online programs.
- YouTube Learning is packed with free tutorialsâfrom painting to playing the ukulele.
- You can even take Ivy League courses on Courseraâyes, really!
đ Youâre not âtoo old for that.â Youâre exactly the right age to enjoy it.
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How Technology Is Elevating Everyday Life in Our Community
In todayâs senior living, staying connected goes far beyond appsâitâs built right into your home. Smart Apartments powered by Alexa and Speak2 are redefining what independence looks like after 70. Whether itâs making a video call to family with a simple voice command, turning on the lights without getting up, or receiving gentle reminders throughout the day, these technologies are designed with real lives and real needs in mind.
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TIP 3: Stay Curious: Discover Fun Activities for Seniors to Boost Your Social Life
A hobby group or community class can reignite your social spark.
Thereâs something quietly beautiful about curiosityâit keeps us in motion.
It invites us to ask questions, say yes to new things, and rediscover joy in places we thought we had already seen.
And when it comes to social connection after 70, curiosity is your secret power.
đŹ Letâs be honest…
Youâve been through a lot. Life has given you decades of experience, relationships, and routines.
So why bother trying something new now?
Because every time you stay open, you give yourself another chance to be surprised.
And in this stage of life, surprise often shows up in the form of connection.
đ Flip the Perspective
Instead of asking:
âWill I like this activity?â
Try asking:
âWhat might this activity awaken in me?â
Instead of thinking:
âIâm not the type to join a class.â
Try thinking:
âWhat if I just show up, observe, and decide after?â
đ How to Put Curiosity into Action (Without Forcing It)
You donât need to change who you are.
You just need to give yourself permission to exploreâeven a little.
Here are a few low-pressure, high-reward ways to begin:
đ¨ 1. Try a Hobby Group with Built-In Flow
Whatâs “flow”? Itâs that feeling of getting lost in something you enjoy. It often leads to joy and presence.
đĄ Try This:
- Watercolor class
- Chair yoga or tai chi
- Flower arranging
- Knitting circle
- Memoir writing
⨠These arenât just hobbiesâtheyâre gateways to community.
đŁď¸ 2. Join a Conversation-Based Group
Some people feel more connected through words than actions. If thatâs you, look for experiences that invite story-sharing or dialogue.
đĄ Try This:
- Book clubs
- Language exchange groups
- âThen & Nowâ storytelling circles
- Travel memory cafĂŠs
đ¤ You donât need to be a great talkerâjust an engaged listener.
đ§ 3. Take a Class That Challenges a Comfort Zone (Gently)
When was the last time you learned something completely new?
Neuroscience shows that learningâeven as simple as trying a new recipe or dance stepâactivates reward centers in the brain and boosts emotional well-being.
đĄ Try This:
- Intro to photography
- Beginnersâ smartphone class
- Tech for seniors 101
- Meditation for focus
- Painting even if you “canât draw”
đŹ Ask yourself: Whatâs something Iâve always been curious about⌠but never made time for?
đ 4. Attend One Social Event AloneâJust Once
We know it sounds intimidating. But showing up solo can be a small act of courage that leads to something unexpectedly beautiful.
đŻ Set this intention:
âIâll go. I donât have to stay the whole time. But Iâll give it 20 minutes.â
More often than not, someone else in the room is feeling just like youâand theyâll be glad you came.
đ§ Guide Yourself with These Gentle Prompts
- Whatâs something that used to light me up, but I let go of over the years?
- If I werenât afraid of looking silly, what would I try?
- Who could I invite to join me in a new experienceâjust for fun?
TIP 4: Stay Proactive and Active: Enhance Social Engagement for Seniors by Taking Initiative
At 70+, life has changedâbut your ability to connect hasnât disappeared. In fact, itâs more powerful than everâif you use it with intention.
Many people believe that friendships “just happen.â That connection will show up when the time is right. But after retirement, major life transitions, or the loss of loved ones, waiting often leads to isolation.
The truth is: meaningful relationships are built with courage and consistency. And theyâre absolutely within reach.
đŁ Why You Need to Be the One Who Reaches Out
- Social isolation is one of the biggest health risks for older adultsâlinked to heart disease, cognitive decline, and depression.
- But here’s the good news: even small efforts to engage with others lead to large improvements in mental and emotional well-being.
- Staying proactive doesnât mean forcing connectionâit means creating space for it to show up.
đ Letâs Flip the Script:
Instead of thinking:
âI donât want to intrudeâŚâ
Try thinking:
âSomeone else might be waiting for me to reach out first.â
Instead of:
âIâm too old to make new friendsâŚâ
Think:
âAt this age, I get to choose who I spend time with.â
â Action Guide: Simple Ways to Take the First Step
đď¸ 1. Start a âConnection Calendarâ
Dedicate one day a week to social action:
- Monday = message someone
- Wednesday = join a group or event
- Friday = invite someone for coffee
âď¸ Write it down. Make it part of your routineâlike exercise or meds.
âď¸ 2. Call, Donât Wait to Be Called
Choose 3 people you miss or havenât spoken to lately. Call one today. Even if you just leave a voicemail, youâre planting the seed.
đŹ Tip: Try this line to break the iceâ
âI was just thinking of you and wanted to say hi. Iâd love to catch up.â
đ§ 3. Join Something LocalâEven If Itâs Out of Your Comfort Zone
Start with whatâs nearby:
- Senior centers
- Faith communities
- Library clubs
- Walking groups
- Community gardens
- Dance or art classes for older adults
đ First time nerves are normal. Bring a friend if you canâor just commit to trying it once.
đ§ 4. Learn to Say âYesâ More Often
Even if you feel tired. Even if youâre unsure. Saying yes to an invitationâor extending oneâkeeps your social muscles strong.
Try this small challenge:
Say yes to two invitations this month (even virtual ones), and offer one of your own.
đĄ 5. Create Connection Goals (Yes, Like Fitness Goals!)
Set monthly goals like:
- âI want to have 4 meaningful conversations this month.â
- âI will try one new group activity.â
- âIâll reconnect with someone I havenât spoken to in over a year.â
đ Track your progressâit helps build momentum and confidence.
đ§ Brain Science Bonus:
Being proactive about social life helps keep your brain engaged. It stimulates memory, language, and even neuroplasticity (your brainâs ability to adapt and grow). Staying social literally helps you age smarter.
đŹ Try This Reflection:
âWhat kind of connections do I want more of in my lifeâand whatâs one step I can take to create them?â
â¤ď¸ Final Thought:
Connection doesnât knock on every door.
Sometimes, you have to knock first.
And when you do, you may find joy, laughter, understandingâor even the next chapter of a lifelong friendship.
TIP 5: Explore Active Lifestyle Opportunities in Senior Living Communities
Shared spaces and events are designed to make socializing easier and more natural.
Retirement isn’t the end of activityâitâs the beginning of a new kind. One thatâs not rushed, but intentional. One that prioritizes connection, movement, joy, and you.
In vibrant senior communities like The Oscar at Veramendi, active living isn’t just a buzzwordâitâs part of the architecture. From how the apartments are laid out to the way events are planned, everything is designed to help you live fully engaged in the way that feels most natural to you.
đż Why Staying Active Isnât Just Physical
Being âactiveâ goes beyond steps and workoutsâitâs about keeping your mind, body, and social life moving.
- Social activity strengthens emotional wellness and keeps the spirit lifted.
- Light physical activity improves balance, heart health, and sleep.
- Participating in group events fosters a sense of purpose and communityâespecially after transitions like retirement or relocation.
Even something as simple as walking to a shared garden or chatting over lunch can have lasting emotional benefits.
đŻ How to Make the Most of Active Living Opportunities
Here are a few meaningful ways to stay activeâyour way:
đââď¸ 1. Move Where You Feel Inspired
At The Oscar, shared spaces like indoor pools and fitness areas are designed to feel more like a spa than a gym.
đĄ Try This:
- Morning laps or aqua aerobics
- Gentle stretching with friends
- A casual afternoon walk around landscaped paths
Even 20 minutes of light movement can reduce joint stiffness and lift your mood.
đ¨ 2. Engage Creatively, Not Just Physically
An active mind is just as important as an active body.
Look for activities like:
- Painting workshops
- Gardening clubs
- Story-sharing circles
- Live music nights or art appreciation groups
đŹ Creative expression is deeply linked to memory, joy, and identity.
đ˝ď¸ 3. Turn Meals into Meaningful Moments
Dining spaces are often the heart of social life in senior communities. Here, itâs not just about foodâitâs about shared stories, routines, and laughter.
đĄ Join a âtable clubâ where you sit with someone new once a week. Itâs a small step toward big conversations.
đž 4. Stay Active Through Purpose
Purpose-driven engagement matters. It could be:
- Volunteering for welcome events
- Mentoring younger generations
- Helping plan seasonal activities
- Simply checking in on a neighbor
đ Giving back is one of the most energizing things you can doâat any age.
At The Oscar at Veramendi, Active Living Feels EffortlessÂ
Our future community in New Braunfels is being designed with this exact vision:
- Light-filled, walkable layouts
- Resort-style amenities for leisure and wellness
- A full calendar of enriching events
- Shared spaces built for connectionânot just convenience
And yes⌠the indoor pool really is as beautiful as it looks. đ
đŹ Final Reflection:
âActive living after 70 isnât about staying busyâitâs about staying connected to life itself.â
So go ahead: explore, stretch, paint, float, dance, chat, share.
This isnât just your next chapterâitâs the best part of the story.
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