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Civic and Community Engagement » Social & Networking Opportunities

Why It's Important

Social engagement is a critical factor in successful aging. It includes socialization and interaction with peers and other community members in ways that include but are not limited to pursuit of employment, volunteering, life-long learning or other activities that keep older adults involved in their communities. New social networking opportunities have emerged with technological advances such as Facebook and Facebook and Volunteermatch.org. Tools such as these are expanding everyone’s social network.

For older adults who do not actively seek social activities, many of the programs available through area agencies on aging indirectly provide opportunities for older adults to remain socially engaged and prevent isolation. Older adults who engage in social activities are more likely to remain mentally and physically stimulated, thereby maintaining better overall health and quality of life.

See Data By: Richmond MSA | Virginia | National

How Richmond Is Doing

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How Virginia Is Doing

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How the U.S. Is Doing

Data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), a population-based study of non-institutionalized older Americans ages 57 to 85, conducted in 2005 to 2006. Results suggest that among older adults, age is negatively related to network size, closeness to network members, and number of non-primary-group ties. On the other hand, age is positively related to frequency of socializing with neighbors, religious participation, and volunteering. (CORNWELL, SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, 2008)

 

Older Adults' Predicted Probability of Weekly Involvement in Three Community-Oriented Social Activities, by Age
(CORNWELL, SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, 2008)

 

Data & Information Sources

Cornwell, Laumann, Schumm, University of Chicago, The Social Connectedness of Older Adults: A National Profile, 2008

http://news.uchicago.edu/images/assets/pdf/SocialConnectedness.pdf

Corporation for National & Community Service
http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/

Federal Interagency Forum on Aging Related Statistics

http://www.agingstats.gov/agingstatsdotnet/main_site/default.aspx