Avoiding loneliness and isolation in retirement

When it comes to our wellbeing, we often think about our physical health and the importance of regular exercise and a good diet. However, the social component of our wellbeing is just as important as maintaining good physical health.

Humans are naturally social creatures. We treasure a connection with someone, value friendship and crave conversation with others. And this is certainly something that doesn’t diminish with age.

As we get older, we often find our social connections are impacted. You may have lost a spouse which has created a void, children that have moved away, friends may be too busy, health issues may prevent you from seeing others, or you may have stopped working and miss that interaction with your colleagues. All these factors can make us more susceptible to loneliness.

Companionship and social interaction in the later years of life have an overwhelmingly positive impact on your health, wellbeing and overall happiness. In fact, research has shown that loneliness may contribute to psychological and physical health issues, like depression, higher rates of obesity, higher blood pressure and increased risk of heart attack.

Retirement villages, such as Oak Tree, are designed to combat social isolation, and instead, encourage and facilitate social interaction and connectedness with like-minded people to help enrich your life.

A community of like-minded individuals

As a boutique retirement village, Oak Tree offers smaller, close-knit communities where social activity and companionship can thrive and real connections and friendships can be formed.

Because Oak Tree residents are all over the age of 55, you can have peace of mind knowing that your neighbours are at similar stages of life to you, meaning you will have more in common. This also means you don’t have to worry about being surrounded by energetic young families.

With amenities like gymnasiums, bowling greens, and gardens bringing people together, Oak Tree residents have the opportunity to enjoy like-minded activities which creates a strong camaraderie. However, residents can also take comfort in knowing that if they prefer to relax and enjoy the privacy, peace and quiet of their own villa, they can.

Shared facilities and activities

At the heart of every Oak Tree Village are the Village Community Centres. These are communal spaces that form a social hub where residents can come together to enjoy each other’s company. In most villages, this is where you’ll find an outdoor swimming pool or bowling green, or both in some cases.

The Oak Tree Village Manager also organises monthly activities, such as social lawn bowl competitions amongst the residents. Friends and family are welcome to join too!

The wide variety of social events allows great friendships to be formed. Whether it’s pizza and poetry nights at the village centre, or fun outings to historic areas for lunch, there’s always something to look forward to.

A social calendar with a wide variety of events

There is plenty of evidence suggesting that social interaction can boost your cognitive function and memory. As little as ten minutes of talking to someone daily can produce the same results as playing games and puzzles.

Oak Tree villages run a variety of monthly events for their residents.

From painting parties to fashion parades and high tea, and rock ‘n roll winter events, living a lower maintenance lifestyle at Oak Tree means you have more time to do the things you love.

Peace of mind

Not only do retirement villages offer companionship, but residents also tend to feel more secure in a smaller, boutique community than in a larger one because they know everyone, and everyone knows them. This means that residents can take comfort in knowing that there is always someone looking out for them.

There is a dedicated local Village Manager at every Oak Tree village. They are a vital link for communication in the village and provide security to the residents who know they can easily communicate with them in times of need and can get help in-person.

At Oak Tree it is important that you can relax in your retirement, feel connected with others, and enjoy the lifestyle you’ve worked so hard for.

If safe, vibrant and caring communities sound like what you’re looking for, then contact Oak Tree’s friendly staff to learn more about their boutique retirement villages and how they could suit you.

You may also like to consider downloading the helpful free checklist put together by Starts at 60 in partnership with Oak Tree: “Considering a Retirement Village: The Ultimate Checklist”. This free e-guide is packed with critical information and easy-to-complete exercises to help guide your journey into retirement living.