Issue link: https://www.newlifestylesdigital.com/i/796044
6 Social Relationships Critical to Good Health for Older Adults (Continued) ...Continued from page 5 negative effects on well-being. Furthermore, some social relationships, even those in our inner circle, bring negativity into our lives that adds stress and undermines well-being (Rook, 2015). In sum, social networks change across the lifespan in predictable ways and in distinctive patterns that reflect our individual personalities and life struc- tures. Yet the power of social relationships to influ- ence our well-being, including our basic physical health and mental health, is remarkable. Checking in Reading this article may start you thinking about your own relationship network. Do you have enough members in it to meet your needs? Do you perceive it to be satisfying? Have you lost members due to illness or death, and have you begun to replace any aspect of what those people brought to your life? Al- though a 40-year friendship cannot be replaced, you may need to find new options for doing the activities you previously enjoyed with the lost loved one. I chose this topic for this winter newsletter because I am also aware that winter oen reduces opportuni- ties for social connections. As the cold, short days of winter tempt us to stay home, sometimes interrupt- ing our physical and social activities, we risk being lonely and depressed. is is a great moment to take inventory to see if you would benefit from connect- ing a bit more oen, even if on the phone, email, or Skype. If relationships are a struggle in your life, you may want to consider seeking some help to sort out the reasons or simply figuring out new strategies for im- proving your relationships. e UCCS Aging Cen- ter might be a useful resource for you. e Aging Center offers psychotherapy and counseling services for persons over age 55, with options for payment from Medicare or sliding-scale fees based on income. For more information, call the Aging Center at (719) 255-8002 or visit www.uccs.edu/agingcenter. Note: is article originally appeared in Gerontol- ogy News, a free newsletter from the UCCS Aging and Gerontology Centers. To subscribe, please email Laura Engleman, lenglema@uccs.edu. ~ By Sara Qualls, Director, UCCS Aging Center "Reading this article may start you thinking about your own relationship network. Do you have enough members in it to meet your needs? Do you perceive it to be satisfying?" YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR FREE GRAB BARS CALL AND ASK US HOW! A c c e s s (719) 219-9887 To find out more visit us online at: www.NextDayCOS.com RAMPS STAIR LIFTS GRAB BARS GRAB BARS • TUB STEPS • STAIR LIFTS RAMPS • PATIENT LIFTS • CEILING LIFTS