When I’m seeking social connections and community involvement, help me to find senior centers or activities geared towards older adults, so that I can stay engaged and connected with others. In this scenario we meet Margaret, a vibrant woman in her mid-70s, as she navigates seeking social connections and community involvement in her retirement years. According to recent research about Blue Zones, social connections is a critically important aspect of healthy and successful aging. Here we see how DIY DDM learning and tools can help.
Margaret enjoys her daily routine, which typically includes gardening, reading, and occasional coffee outings with friends from her earlier years. However, lately, she’s been feeling a sense of isolation. The usual activities don’t provide the social connection she yearns for, and she struggles with moments of loneliness, triggering the activation of her prefrontal cortex as she becomes aware of this issue. A past colleague recommended the online course for Deliberate Decision Making to learn more about how aging impacts ones decision making capacity. In the video series and workbook she learned about Cognitive Rigidity and the tendency o f seniors to back away from new experiences, resulting in isolation and negatively impacting aging. She also learned the power of the struggling moment and what to do next.
This marks Step 1 of her journey, where she acknowledges the need for more social connections and community involvement. Margaret begins to explore Step 2 by considering he rewards of reaching out and making new connections. She also watches the Blue Zone and sees the negative impact of not maintaining social connections. She researches and explores local senior centers and activities tailored for older adults, linking her outcome to rewards like companionship, mental stimulation, and a sense of belonging.
In Step 3, Margaret develops outcome statements. She aims to join a community group or activity within the next month to establish connections and alleviate her loneliness. She learns how to setup the outcome statements in away that will support her making the best decision possible for her.
Step 4 involves Margaret grappling with trade-offs and ranking what matters most to her. She considers the proximity of the center/activity, the nature of activities offered, and the potential for building lasting friendships. As she evaluates a list of candidates she has narrowed it down from more than 10 centers, to only 2.
Committing to her plan in Step 5, Margaret aligns her values with her decision to join a specific community group. She feels that this choice reflects her desire for social interaction and community involvement. These are the values that she holds most dear and finds it motivates her to get involved.
Step 6 sees Margaret organizing her action plan, marking the days for her first visit to the community center and setting reminders for relevant events and activities. She makes a calendar on her computer using the center calendar she found on line.
In Step 7, Margaret takes action. She attends her first community group meeting, introduces herself, and starts making connections, feeling a sense of belonging and renewed enthusiasm. Initially, she encounters challenges with adapting to new social dynamics, feeling hesitant to engage fully. She remembers from her course work that this is normal, and identifies which of the down regulators that might throw her back into her old habits of isolation. With this awareness she remains curious and continues on with meeting new connections at the center.
Step 8 involves Margaret evaluating the impact of her decision. Despite initial setbacks, she notices a significant improvement in her mood and mental well-being, feeling more connected and engaged. With the use of deliberate decision-making tools, Margaret overcomes cognitive rigidity and frustration, allowing her to focus on the positive outcomes of her efforts.
Recognizing areas for improvement in Step 9, Margaret plans to explore additional groups or activities to diversify her social circle and experiences.
Finally, in Step 10, Margaret shares her newfound joy and experiences with her adult children and friends. She advocates for community involvement among her peers, encouraging others to seek social connections for a fulfilling retirement.
Margaret’s outcome statement has become the benchmark for her decisions. Through her systematic approach, Margaret successfully combats isolation and finds a community where she thrives, measuring her current state against the rewarding social connections she’s cultivated. Her transformation demonstrates the power of deliberate decision-making tools in enhancing focus, capacity, and ultimately, the ability to find fulfillment in social interactions.