{"id":374,"date":"2025-12-15T20:32:44","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T20:32:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/?p=374"},"modified":"2025-12-15T20:38:50","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T20:38:50","slug":"age-the-friendship-factor-in-healthy-aging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-the-friendship-factor-in-healthy-aging\/","title":{"rendered":"AGE | The Friendship Factor in Healthy Aging"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"374\" class=\"elementor elementor-374\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23795a3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"23795a3\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55cde87 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"55cde87\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">AGE | The Friendship Factor in Healthy Aging<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-754e740 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"754e740\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.10-1.png\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536 wp-image-378\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.10-1.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.10-1-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.10-1-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.10-1-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-887d255 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"887d255\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4c7245 elementor-author-box--image-valign-middle elementor-widget elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"d4c7245\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"elementor-author-box__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-6-Melissa-Cooke-300x300.png\" alt=\"Picture of Melissa Cook\" 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79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLinkedIn\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_facebook\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-facebook\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.78 90.69 226.38 209.25 245V327.69h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.31 482.38 504 379.78 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacebook\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_email\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-envelope\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M502.3 190.8c3.9-3.1 9.7-.2 9.7 4.7V400c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V195.6c0-5 5.7-7.8 9.7-4.7 22.4 17.4 52.1 39.5 154.1 113.6 21.1 15.4 56.7 47.8 92.2 47.6 35.7.3 72-32.8 92.3-47.6 102-74.1 131.6-96.3 154-113.7zM256 320c23.2.4 56.6-29.2 73.4-41.4 132.7-96.3 142.8-104.7 173.4-128.7 5.8-4.5 9.2-11.5 9.2-18.9v-19c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v19c0 7.4 3.4 14.3 9.2 18.9 30.6 23.9 40.7 32.4 173.4 128.7 16.8 12.2 50.2 41.8 73.4 41.4z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_print\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on print\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-print\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M448 192V77.25c0-8.49-3.37-16.62-9.37-22.63L393.37 9.37c-6-6-14.14-9.37-22.63-9.37H96C78.33 0 64 14.33 64 32v160c-35.35 0-64 28.65-64 64v112c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h48v96c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h320c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-96h48c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16V256c0-35.35-28.65-64-64-64zm-64 256H128v-96h256v96zm0-224H128V64h192v48c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h48v96zm48 72c-13.25 0-24-10.75-24-24 0-13.26 10.75-24 24-24s24 10.74 24 24c0 13.25-10.75 24-24 24z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrint\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16f8f16 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"16f8f16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Discussions on healthy aging often focus on eating right and staying active, but equally important is staying socially connected. Strong social ties improve mental health, reduce the risk of depression, ease loneliness, and even extend life.<\/p><p>In its \u201cKeys to Embracing Aging\u201d program, the Kansas State University Extension identifies twelve practices that support healthy aging. One simple but powerful key is to maintain social connections.<\/p><p>Making and keeping connections takes extra effort for many older adults, especially those who live alone or have limited mobility. Even so, a little effort can make a meaningful difference. Consider these ways of building and maintaining relationships:<\/p><ul><li>Pick up the phone and call a friend or family<\/li><li>Schedule video chats; seeing a friendly face can brighten your<\/li><li>Write a letter or email to stay in<\/li><li>Join a class in person or online through a library, senior center, or UW<\/li><li>Volunteer at a local school, library, or<\/li><li>Attend community<\/li><li>Take part in hobby groups. Connect with others through the arts, book clubs, or outdoor activities.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-093b2a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"093b2a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.11.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-377\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.11.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.11-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.11-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.11-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa301f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aa301f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In Wyoming, senior centers play a vital role in helping older adults stay engaged. They offer far more than a place to eat lunch.<\/p><p>These community hubs may host card games, bingo, fitness classes, art workshops, or guest speakers. They create a welcoming space to catch up with old friends or make new ones.<\/p><p>Senior centers also connect people with local resources and services. Many offer transportation and group outings as well as helping with paperwork such as Medicare forms.<\/p><p>Staying socially connected offers companionship, laughter, and a sense of belonging, which brings increased health and happiness at every stage of life. The \u201cKeys to Embracing Aging\u201d remind us that healthy living is not only about our bodies. It is also about the people we share our lives with.<\/p><p>Images from Alena Darmel on Pexels.com.<\/p><p><strong>References &amp; Further Reading:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Kansas State University Research and Extension. <em>Keys to Embracing Aging: Social Activity. <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu\/download\/keys-to-embracing-aging-social-activity_MF3260\"><u>https:\/\/bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu\/download\/keys-to-<\/u> <u>embracing-aging-social-activity_MF3260<\/u><\/a>.<\/li><li>Aging Programs, K-State Research and Extension. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aging.k-state.edu\/programs\/embracing-aging\/\"><u>https:\/\/<\/u>aging.k- <u>state.edu\/programs\/embracing-aging<\/u>.<\/a><\/li><li>National Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety. <em>Keys to Embracing Aging. <a href=\"https:\/\/ncran.org\/resources\/health-promotion\/keys\/\">https:\/\/ncran.org\/resources\/health-promotion\/keys\/<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa104e1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"aa104e1\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62b42fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"62b42fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related Posts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7858cd elementor-posts__hover-none elementor-grid-2 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"a7858cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" 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class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-letting-go-without-losing-you\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-790\" alt=\"Older Adult Couple on a swing looking at each other talking\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-letting-go-without-losing-you\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAGE | Letting Go Without Losing You\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>As we age, we watch our hair turn gray and the wrinkles appear, as if our mirrors have quietly switched to \u201chigh-definition honesty mode.\u201d It\u2019s a process we observe over decades, one strand, one line, one mysterious ache at a time. <\/p>\n<p>Aging has a way of quietly rearranging our lives.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-letting-go-without-losing-you\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about AGE | Letting Go Without Losing You\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRespectful terms for aging\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-572 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-age-blog category-mental-health tag-melissa-cook\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-surviving-cabin-fever-with-resiliency\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Flitners-.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-573\" alt=\"Wyoming Couple with Horses\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Flitners-.png 1200w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Flitners--300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Flitners--1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Flitners--768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-surviving-cabin-fever-with-resiliency\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAGE | Surviving Cabin Fever with Resiliency\u202f\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>I returned home from work tonight, and before making dinner, I opened the freezer, slipped out a half-gallon of my favorite ice cream, and dished out a small bowl. I stood in front of the heater, savoring every spoonful of peanut butter and chocolate chips while feeling the warmth from the fire on my backside and toes.\u202f<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-surviving-cabin-fever-with-resiliency\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about AGE | Surviving Cabin Fever with Resiliency\u202f\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRespectful terms for aging\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discussions on healthy aging often focus on eating right and staying active, but equally important is staying socially connected. Strong social ties improve mental health, reduce the risk of depression, ease loneliness, and even extend life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":378,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,9],"tags":[14],"class_list":["post-374","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-age-blog","category-mental-health","tag-melissa-cook"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=374"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":381,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374\/revisions\/381"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=374"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}