6 Sources of Support After 60 That Matter as Much as Family

When I retired, I assumed my social life would take care of itself. It didn’t. Most of my friendships had been built around work, and my kids live three states away. It took me a while to learn that support is something you build on purpose.

1. Friends you choose

Friendships take time, and they rarely happen by accident after 60. Pick one activity you enjoy and show up every week. Familiar faces turn into friends faster than you expect.

2. Neighbors

Neighbors are often the people closest when something goes wrong. A wave becomes a conversation, and a conversation becomes someone who has your spare key.

3. Community and faith groups

Clubs, congregations and classes offer regular contact with people who share your interests, plus a built-in reason to leave the house.

4. Volunteering

Helping others is one of the most reliable ways to feel useful and connected, and it introduces you to people of every age.

5. Support groups

Whether you are grieving, caring for a partner or managing a health condition, a group of people facing the same thing can offer what even close family cannot.

6. Professionals

Your doctor, a counselor or a local agency on aging can help with problems friends cannot fix. The Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, connects you to local services at 1-800-677-1116.

Why it matters

In 2023 the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory describing loneliness and isolation as a public health concern linked to higher risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia. Building a wider circle is not a luxury. It is part of staying healthy.

Sources

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation
• Eldercare Locator

This article is for general information. If you are struggling with low mood or isolation, talk to your doctor.