The health research shows that older adults need socialization. That's the main reason the Covid lockdown was so hard on us. The non-Covid deaths were higher than needed to be. Research like this showing the need for socialization was put on the shelf. Social isolation, loneliness in older people pose health risks | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov) Collecting My Thoughts: Music is good for you, especially in your later years
Our church, UALC, did not have an active older adult ministry for two years, unless a group met on ZOOM, and reopened in March 2022. Collecting My Thoughts: Older adult ministry at UALC Collecting My Thoughts: A statement from Pastor Steve Turnbull, UALC, Columbus, Ohio So when I record my social activities for 2023, I don't list Sunday School (most Sundays), or Women of the Word (fall, winter, spring small study groups using videos and workbooks), or Thursday morning Bible Study (taught by a pastor, often combined with Lenten or Advent services and lunch). Those pre-2020 church programs are in place now and not recorded here.
I'm also not listing my trips to Lifetime Fitness about 4 times a week. I do occasionally meet and talk to people there. Like yesterday. I met Karen, a very active athletic baby boomers who is recovering from a broken foot playing pickle ball. And you'll be happy I'm not recording grocery store visits to Aldi's and Marc's, or doctors' visits--but those add up and are "outings." These figures are estimates, although most I have recorded in my journal.
Dinners with friends and family at our home: 9
Dinners at friends' homes: 12
Dinner or lunch with friends at restaurants (most often Rusty Bucket): 15
Dinner with Phoebe and Mark at restaurants (most often Rusty Bucket): 13
Party or Picnic: 9
Art gathering: 13
OSU Librarians retirees' lunch: 3
Lenten/Advent worship/lunch at UALC: 6
Concerts: 9 (including a Jazz concert on Dec. 31, 2023)
Travel (Arizona, Indianapolis, Lakeside, D.C., Oberlin: 8
Funerals or visitations: 7
Coffee dates with friends: 11
Book Club: 6
House guests: 1 week
Congregational meeting: 2
Condo meeting: 2
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