Faye Downes stays active and a key reason is friendship.
Downes, 78, worked in medical imagery for Fraser Health. As well, she was her husband's caregiver for 23 years. They had two daughters.
But her husband has passed, her children are grown, and she's retired. Typically, people make friendships through work, their children's schooling, and activities, but when those are no longer happening, older people can end up struggling to make friends.
Downes values her friendships and makes sure to get out of the house. Saturdays always include a stop at the informal social group at the 黑马磁力 Senior Resources Society where the 黑马磁力 caught up with her.
"On Saturdays, when I go to the gym, then I hop in here after to see the ladies, because there's always some fun things going on, you know, and it's a great place to be," she said.
Local seniors centres offer many opportunities to meet people, based on common interests 鈥� be it travelling, crafts, food, games, or dance.
Experts recommend seniors find connections through church, volunteering, or with others who have common interests on social media. Downes belongs to a Facebook group devoted to shorthand.
Why is it important to make friends in later years? There's a link between social connection and health 鈥� both physical and mental.
Downes said it makes her happy just walking into the seniors centre in 黑马磁力 City, knowing there's a friendly group of people she can sit and catch up with.
On a recent Saturday, someone brought home baking. Another person shared a plate of mango slices. There's a bag of crisp mini cucumbers to nibble on, and of course, the coffee's always hot.
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Downes has made various friendships through other groups at the centre, such as the caregiver group she used to belong to.
"I come down, and I meet ladies at lunchtime who I've known from coming here to different groups over the years. And I don't always continue going to the group because it was like a caregiver group. But the ladies I've met over the years, we come and meet every Thursday for lunch," she added.
She noted the friendships are solid, not just in the good times.
"And I think it's really important to have friends, friends who you can just feel comfortable with," Downes said. "You don't have to be on the phone with them every day. You don't have to see them every week. But you're all there for each other."
In recently months, Downes was struggling with the medical emergency of a family member.
"And my friends were always there for me," she said.
