Discovering Social Events in Your Area

Why social connection matters for your health

Feeling connected is more than pleasant. It is linked to better heart and brain health and to longer life. Lack of connection increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression and anxiety, dementia, and earlier death.

A national advisory from the Surgeon General notes that the health impact of poor social connection can be similar to smoking many cigarettes per day and greater than the risks from obesity and physical inactivity. Building and maintaining meaningful relationships is a powerful health behavior you can practice at any age.

The National Institute on Aging highlights practical steps to stay connected and explains that staying engaged can protect mental and cognitive health as you grow older.

What you can expect at local senior and community centers

Group activities that make it easy to connect
Many centers host exercise and movement classes, health talks, arts and music groups, game rooms, and lunch programs. These shared activities promote routine, purpose, and friendship, which support both mood and physical health.

Peer groups with similar life experiences
Spaces where people of similar age and life stage gather can reduce loneliness and support coping with grief, caregiving stress, or chronic illness. Tips from NIA show that regular contact and interest based groups are simple and effective ways to protect well being.

Help that is local and trustworthy
You can locate nearby centers and programs through the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the US Administration for Community Living. You can search by ZIP code, call, or chat with trained staff.

How to discover social events near you

Step one Use trusted finders

• Visit the Eldercare Locator to find senior centers, Area Agencies on Aging, and community programs in your ZIP code at https://eldercare.acl.gov/home. You can also call 800 677 1116.
• Explore ACL information on finding local services to understand available program types in your area at https://acl.gov/ltc/basic-needs/finding-local-services.

Step two List what matters to you

Write down interests such as walking groups, chair yoga, card games, crafts, book clubs, or support circles. NIA recommends choosing activities you enjoy and scheduling time for regular connection.

Step three Check accessibility and fit

Call the center to ask about mobility access, restroom access, lighting or sound considerations, languages offered, and cost. Ask if they provide introductions for first time visitors or a buddy system for easier starts. The Surgeon General advisory encourages community designs that make connection easier for everyone.

Step four Plan transportation

If getting there is hard, ask about ride programs through your local Area Agency on Aging or community partners listed through the Eldercare Locator. Understood Care can also help you arrange safe rides that meet your mobility needs at https://understoodcare.com/care-types/transportation-help.

Step five Start small and make it routine

Try one event and plan a second visit before you leave. Consistency builds familiarity and friendships over time. CDC guidance shows that ongoing, high quality relationships are protective for health.

Script highlights brought to life

Debbie’s message is simple. Social spaces exist near you, with people who share your stage of life. An advocate can help you choose a center based on what you want, such as day trips, classes, exercise, or a friendly lunch room. If you feel nervous about going the first time, we can call ahead, add reminders, and walk you through the plan so you feel ready. Explore our Social Support page at https://understoodcare.com/care-types/social-support and reach us at 646 396 0527 for one to one support.

Ideas for events and spaces to try

Senior and community centers

Look for daily calendars that mix movement, creative arts, education, meals, and games. These activities support mood and may reduce risks linked with loneliness.

Libraries and parks and recreation

Ask about book clubs, technology tutoring, walking groups, and intergenerational projects. Regular participation and learning new skills can build confidence and connection.

Faith and cultural groups

Services, study groups, choirs, and cultural associations often host open social times. Many also organize visits to members who are homebound, which strengthens community ties. Guidance from the Surgeon General emphasizes the role of community organizations in building connection.

Volunteer opportunities

Helping others is a proven way to create meaningful relationships. Choose roles that match your interests and abilities for steady connection.

Safety, access, and cost tips

• Ask about fees, meal costs, and any sliding scale.
• Confirm hours, parking, and the best entrance for mobility devices.
• If you use a wheelchair or walker, ask whether doors, hallways, and restrooms can accommodate your device.
• If you have hearing or vision changes, ask about large print materials, captions, and microphone use.
• If you live with depression or anxiety, tell your clinician that you plan to add weekly social activities and ask for suggestions to ease the first visits. NIA provides resources on depression in older adults and how connection supports recovery.

How Understood Care helps you connect

Personalized social support
Your advocate helps you find local events and peer led groups that match your interests. If you are feeling isolated or unsure where to start, we focus on gentle steps and real conversation so you feel seen and supported. Learn more at https://understoodcare.com/care-types/social-support.

Transportation and reminders
We help you choose a center, plan your route, arrange a ride if needed, and set reminders so the plan is easy to follow. See transportation options at https://understoodcare.com/care-types/transportation-help.

Care coordination when health or mobility needs are complex
If medical needs affect your plans, we coordinate with your care team and family so your social goals fit safely within your care plan. Learn more at https://understoodcare.com/care-types/care-coordination.

A simple plan you can start today

1. Use the Eldercare Locator to find three nearby centers at https://eldercare.acl.gov/home. Elder Care
2. Call each center and ask about classes, lunch programs, and first visit support.
3. Choose one event this week and invite a friend or family member to join you.
4. Put the next visit on your calendar before you leave.
5. If anything feels hard, contact an Understood Care advocate for one to one help at https://understoodcare.com/care-types/social-support or call (646) 904-4027.

When to talk with your clinician

Tell your clinician if loneliness or low mood is affecting sleep, appetite, energy, or your interest in activities. Ask how social activity, movement, and counseling or medication can work together. The CDC and NIA emphasize that social connection is a protective factor for mental and physical health across the lifespan.

Staying Connected for Better Health: Frequently Asked Questions

• Why does social connection matter for my health?
  Social connection is more than a nice-to-have. Strong relationships are linked to better heart and brain health and a longer life. Lack of connection increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, dementia, and earlier death. A national advisory from the Surgeon General notes that the harm of poor social connection can be similar to smoking many cigarettes per day and even greater than the risks from obesity or physical inactivity. The National Institute on Aging explains that staying engaged with others can help protect mental and cognitive health as you grow older.
• What can I expect at a local senior or community center?
  Senior and community centers usually offer group activities that make it easier to meet people and build routine. You may find exercise and movement classes, health talks, arts and music groups, card games or bingo, and shared lunches. Many centers also host peer groups where people of similar age and life stage can talk about grief, caregiving, or living with chronic illness. These regular, interest-based gatherings help reduce loneliness and support both mood and physical health.
• How do I find senior centers or social programs near me?
  You can start with trusted public tools. The Eldercare Locator, a service of the US Administration for Community Living, lets you search by ZIP code online or by calling 800 677 1116. It can connect you to senior centers, Area Agencies on Aging, and local programs. The Administration for Community Living website also explains types of services that may be available in your area so you can see what fits your needs.
• What should I think about when choosing a place or activity?
  It helps to match activities with your interests and comfort level. You might write down whether you enjoy walking groups, chair yoga, crafts, music, card games, book clubs, or support circles. When you call a center, you can ask about accessibility, such as ramps, elevators, restrooms, lighting, and noise level. You can also ask about language options, any costs or suggested donations, and whether they help new visitors with introductions or a buddy system so that first visit feels easier.
• What if transportation is a challenge for me?
  If getting to activities is hard, ask your local senior center or Area Agency on Aging about ride programs, senior vans, or shared transportation options. These services are often listed through the Eldercare Locator. Understood Care can also help you plan safe transportation that fits your mobility needs and schedule by using the transportation support options on our website.
• I feel nervous about going to a center for the first time. How can an advocate help?
  It is very common to feel uncertain about trying a new place. An advocate can talk with you about what you enjoy, help you choose one or two centers that fit your preferences, and call ahead to ask staff to welcome you. They can set reminders for the day of your visit, help you plan what to bring, and walk you through the plan so nothing feels rushed or confusing. The goal is to make that first step as gentle and supported as possible.
• What are some types of events or spaces that might help me feel more connected?
  Many people start with senior or community centers where there are daily calendars of movement classes, creative arts, games, and shared meals. Public libraries often host book clubs, technology help sessions, and small group activities. Parks and recreation departments may run walking groups, fitness classes, or community events. Faith-based or cultural groups can offer services, discussion groups, choirs, and social time, and some organize visits to homebound members. Volunteer roles, such as greeting, phone check ins, or helping with events, can also create meaningful relationships.
• How can I make sure a program will meet my safety, access, and cost needs?
  Before you go, you can ask about fees, suggested donations for meals, and whether there is a sliding scale. You can confirm opening hours, parking, and the best entrance if you use a wheelchair, walker, or cane. If you have hearing or vision changes, you can ask if they use microphones, offer large print materials, or provide captions. If you live with depression or anxiety, it can help to tell your clinician that you plan to add weekly social activities and ask for suggestions to make the first visits easier.
• How does Understood Care help me build and maintain social connection?
  Understood Care advocates provide personalized social support. They help you identify what kind of connection you are looking for, such as gentle exercise, peer groups, or creative activities, then find local options that match. They can arrange transportation when needed, set reminders, and coordinate with your care team so your social plans fit safely within your medical plan. If you are feeling isolated, your advocate will focus on small, realistic steps so you feel seen, supported, and not rushed.
• What simple plan can I start right now to feel less isolated?
  You can begin by using the Eldercare Locator to find a few nearby centers or programs. Then you can call each one to ask about classes, lunches, and how they welcome first time visitors. Choosing a single event to try this week and inviting a friend, family member, or neighbor to join you can make it easier. Before you leave that first event, you can decide on the next visit and add it to your calendar so you have something specific to look forward to.
• When should I talk with my clinician about loneliness or isolation?
  You should tell your clinician if loneliness or low mood is affecting your sleep, appetite, energy, or interest in everyday activities. It is also important to mention if you feel more forgetful or withdrawn. You can ask how social activity, movement, and other treatments such as counseling or medication can work together. Public health guidance from the CDC and National Institute on Aging emphasizes that social connection is a protective factor for mental and physical health, so bringing it up is an important part of your care.
• How can I get one to one support to find social resources near me?
  If you would like personal help, you can contact Understood Care by phone or through our website. An advocate will work with you to understand your interests, health needs, and transportation situation, then help you find nearby programs, plan visits, arrange rides if needed, and follow up after you go. Together, you can build a realistic, supportive routine that makes connection part of your health plan.

References

• https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/risk-factors/index.html
• https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf
• https://eldercare.acl.gov/home
• https://acl.gov/ltc/basic-needs/finding-local-services
• https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/loneliness-and-social-isolation/loneliness-and-social-isolation-tips-staying-connected

• https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/loneliness-and-social-isolation
• https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks
• https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/loneliness-linked-dementia-risk-large-scale-analysis
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2910600/‍

This content is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized care.