Retirement & Assisted Living
How seniors can build their social networks in retirement
Social isolation and loneliness can have a notably adverse effect on a person’s overall health. According to the World Health Organization, roughly 12 percent of older individuals experience loneliness, which can have a negative impact on their physical and mental health, quality of life, and even their life expectancy.
Seniors have much to gain when they take successful steps to avoid social isolation. Seniors who are concerned about the prospect of social isolation or loneliness or those already experiencing such feelings can try these strategies to build their social networks in retirement.
• Reconnect with old friends. It’s easy for adults to lose touch with old friends. By the time many adults reach middle age, professional and personal obligations can leave little time for a thriving social life. Successful professionals may be preoccupied with work projects, and while parents may be juggling their own hectic schedules with their children’s obligations. Come retirement, much of those responsibilities have ended, making this a perfect time to reconnect with old friends who also might have extra free time on their hands. Reach out through social media, text message or even a phone call, and let the situation unfold organically from there.
• Take advantage of community offerings. Many communities sponsor events for seniors, like bus trips to local museums or stadiums, in an effort to encourage seniors to get out of the house.
Retirees can take advantage of these opportunities, which tend to attract like-minded individuals with the same interests. A bus trip to a theater production will attract fellow arts lovers, and shared interests are a solid foundation for friendship.
• Start a local club or group. Starting a local club based on a particular activity is another great way for seniors to build a social network in retirement. Take to social media and express your interest in starting a local book club or walking group. Like communitysponsored bus trips, clubs and groups tend to attract like-minded individuals, providing a built-in pathway to friendship.
• Reconnect with your faith. Houses of worship also offer a great way to meet locals and
build relationships based on a shared identity. Faith-based communities provide a sense of belonging that can help retirees overcome social isolation and loneliness.
• Open yourself to new experiences. Trying something new is another great way to make new friends. Many local agencies like parks departments or community recreation offices offer seniors in-person workshops covering a wide range of activities. These offerings are a great way to discover a new pastime and meet new people along the way.
Social isolation and loneliness poses a significant threat to millions of seniors. But there are many ways for seniors to build their social networks in retirement. FP265809
Information & Assistance
Linking People to
& Services
Outreach Home Visits
Congregate Meals Tues. & Thurs.
($8 Suggested Donation for those 60+)
Certified SHIP Site (Medicare Help)
Activities & Programs Tues. & Thurs.
Lending Closet
(Free Use of Medical Equipment)
Family Caregiver Resources
Alzheimer Disease & Related
Disorder Services
EngAGED Program (Reduces social isolation and loneliness among older adults)
How to manage multiple medications
Polypharmacy, or the practice of managing multiple medications, is a part of life for a significant percentage of seniors. Many prescription and over-thecounter drugs are essential for maintaining health and managing chronic conditions. However, the chemical complexity of mixing so many drugs can lead to dangerous outcomes if one isn’t careful.
Older adults take more medications than any other age group. A report conducted by Age Wave and The John A. Hartford Foundation found that the average senior takes four medications, but more than 15 percent take eight or more. Some medications can create further conditions or worsen existing conditions. Data from the Agency for Healthcare Research Quality show that 15.9 percent of older adults use inappropriate medication.
Structured medication management is essential for seniors’ safety. Here’s how to safely navigate taking multiple medications at once.
• Conduct a medication audit. Take all of the medications and supplements you use to a primary care physician or pharmacist to discuss potential interactions and if any prescriptions can be canceled. Research from Clarest Health indicates that patients taking five to nine medications have a 50 percent chance of experiencing a significant adverse drug event.
• Talk about deprescribing. Speak with a doctor about the process of tapering off medications that may
no longer be necessary or are resulting in more harm than benefit.
• Use one pharmacy. Always fill prescriptions from the same pharmacy. Modern systems are equipped with safeguards to flag certain drug-to-drug interactions automatically. Also, the pharmacist is often an underutilized resource. Ask questions and figure out if he or she can conduct a medication review to ensure a regimen for taking medications is as complication-free as possible.
• Utilize smart systems. Rely on smart pill dispensers that unlock only at the correct time to manage high-risk medications. Other pill organizers and digital apps can set reminders to take medications at the appropriate times. An app like Medisafe will notify family members if a dose is missed.
• Link doses to actions. Make
medications an automatic part of your day by linking them to activities, like morning pills taken with a cup of coffee or evening pills when you eat dinner.
• Use visual cues. Keep pill organizers in a visible spot so you remember to take the medication.
• Ask for help. If managing medications has become a tall order, ask a friend, family member or a visiting nurse or aide to assist with medication management.
• Update your list. Always maintain a current list of the medications and supplements you are taking, and bring it along to every new medical appointment for further review.
Managing medications becomes more complex as seniors typically take multiple drugs and supplements to maintain health. FP265808
Seniors can emphasize balance when caregiving
Spending time with grandchildren can make seniors feel young and valued. Grandparents are often asked to step in as caregivers to the youngsters they love. The U.S. Department of Labor reports 2.74 million children in the United States were being raised by a grandparent in 2021, the most recent year for data. Census data from 2021 also shows one in five Canadian grandparents regularly helps with grandchild care.
Chasing around a toddler or schoolaged child can affect seniors differently than it affects parents in their 20s or 30s. Effectively and safely managing the physical and emotional toll of caring for grandchildren may come down to emphasizing balance.
• Protect your body. Grandparents should rely on strollers, high chairs and step stools to minimize heavy lifting. When a child wants to be held, a senior can sit on the couch or a chair and have the child climb up to them.
• Incorporate downtime. Seniors
should schedule quiet time so they can get a physical and mental break. Whether this time involves reading books or engaging in easy crafts, ensuring there are blocks of time for rest is essential.
• Conduct a safety check. It’s important for a home to be safe for kids and seniors alike. Removing breakable items and covering up sharp edges on furniture and other hard surfaces can protect grandparents and grandkids.
• Establish some boundaries. Grand-
WELCOME
MADISON SUDAJ, Au.D.
Dr. Sudaj is proud to join Wallace Center for Hearing at their newly expanded o ice on Progress Blvd. in Peru. Their experienced team is committed to providing trusted hearing healthcare to help patients reconnect with the people and moments that matter most.
parents should establish clear communication with their own children regarding their expectations. It’s important to define a schedule that works for the senior, and he or she should be honest about how much they can manage.
• Know the rules. Grandparents should discuss what parents expect regarding screen time, naps, food, and more. A united front from parents and grandparents can reduce the need to negotiate with headstrong children.
• Make a backup plan. Seniors should emphasize to their children that they need to have a backup caregiver available for when they are not able to watch the grandchildren. Seniors deserve days off.
Grandparents frequently are called upon to pitch in and help their children with caregiving needs. Bonding with grandchildren can be rewarding, but seniors must balance their own needs with the needs of their children and grandchildren. FP265811
‘Simply the Finest’ at Liberty Village
Liberty Village of Peru is a premier retirement community campus offering every level of care needed through the senior years. At Liberty Village, we take great care to balance the independence our senior’s desire with the support they need. Liberty Village offers “Simply the Finest” in retirement lifestyles. Our community includes elegant and affordable Villa homes, Liberty Estates independent living retirement apartments, Hawthorne Inn Assisted Living, Manor Court skilled nursing care, Bounce Back rehabilitation and Memory
Lane Fitness for the Mind our Alzheimer’s/dementia neighborhood.
Liberty Village of Peru is proud to have been a part of the Illinois Valley for 25 years. We remain under the same local ownership and continue to support our staff in providing “Simply the Finest” in retirement living. Located at the corner of 31st Street and Becker Drive in Peru, stop in for a campus tour. Call us at (815) 224-2200 or visit us online at www.libertyvillageofperu.com or follow us on our Facebook page, Liberty Village of Peru.
Di erent ways seniors can embrace AI
Keeping up with technology has become a full-time job for many people. The devices individuals rely on continue to evolve at a rapid pace. While younger generations who were raised on technology can adapt with ease, seniors may have a slightly more lengthy learn ing curve, particularly when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI).
AI is no longer a sci-fi con cept; it’s a component of daily life. AI can do everything from summarize emails to turn images into quirky cartoons to answer health-related questions. Ac cording to the 2026 AARP Tech Trends Report, AI usage among people ages 50 and older has nearly doubled in the last two years. Thirty percent of seniors are navigating the AI frontier, and there are many ways AI can be put to good use.
• Aging in place: can be used to ensure seniors can enjoy their independence longer than they otherwise might. AI-powered homes can do a lot of the work for most seniors, and safeguards can help protect them. For example, radar-based sensors can detect a fall without the use of cameras and alert emergency services. AI can automatically adjust environments by illuminating hallways or shutting off a stove if it has been left unattended, according to Age Safe® America.
• Health monitoring: A primary driver for AI adoption, health is something that can be managed and even improved with the use
of AI. The University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging found that more than half of seniors like AI devices for aging in place. AI can summarize complex medical reports or produce meal plans according to nutritional guidance. Smart pill dispensers use AI to track adherence and can help keep a person safe.
• Companionship: Loneliness and social isolation is a real concern for seniors. AI conver -
sational partners can initiate conversations, suggest activities or tell jokes. The National Institutes of Health says AI-driven interventions using social robots or digital human facilitators have led to significant reductions in loneliness among adults ages 55 and over
Artificial intelligence is being integrated into many facets of daily life. Seniors can benefit from AI in many unique and useful ways. FP265815
