Six Great Social Clubs for Seniors
In retirement, joining social clubs allows you to meet and interact with new people and look forward to new experiences. There are all kinds of clubs to join – walking groups for regular exercise and book clubs to engage your mind. Not only is it fun to be a part of these clubs, you’re also benefiting your social health.
When you’re looking for a club that best suits your interests, you may not know which one to join. Check out these six great social clubs for seniors to see if they seem like a good fit for you.
The Benefits of Clubs for Seniors
Clubs provide an opportunity to expand your social network. You can meet like-minded people if you join a special interest club, which can lead to fast friendships.
It’s so important for older adults to stay connected, as one of the most detrimental things to senior health is isolation.
When you lead an engaged lifestyle, you get the following health benefits:
- Increased happiness and decreased depression
- Less likely to develop dementia, heart disease, and stroke
- Increased optimism and resilience
You may find that meeting with your club is one of the highlights of your week. Clubs bring a sense of belonging, and you can always look forward to being social and spending time with others.
1. AARP
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a great social club for seniors. It’s the nation’s largest not-for-profit organization that advocates for seniors and has all kinds of benefits for its members.
The AARP can give you discounts for restaurants, hearing and vision care, traveling, and more. In addition to savings, the AARP is a source for education, senior education resources, and services.
2. National Council on Aging
The National Council on Aging is dedicated to helping seniors live and age well. With a mission of improving seniors’ lives, the National Council on Aging provides resources for older adults, caregivers, professionals who work with seniors, and advocates who want to affect policy positively.
As an affiliate member, you can be a part of important discussions about improving the quality of life for all seniors and work with others with the same mission as you.
3. AmeriCorps Seniors
If you’re interested in volunteering, AmeriCorps Seniors is the organization for you. Specifically designed for adults 55 and better who are seeking opportunities to give back, this volunteer network will place you in a role where you can help others.
Sometimes, older adults may wonder if volunteer organizations are looking for older volunteers – and they are. As a senior citizen, you have a lifetime of wisdom and expertise, and you can share insightful ideas and opinions to help others around you.
Popular volunteer opportunities with AmeriCorps Seniors include:
4. National Senior Games Association
Did you compete in a sport in high school or college? Are you a lifelong athlete looking for another opportunity to compete? Or are you starting to train for a sport but are fully dedicated to putting in the work to improve? If any of these are true, then you should seek out theNational Senior Games.
This organization is for seniors who aren’t only staying lively– they’re training to compete at a national level. The sports you can compete in include:
- Archery
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Bowling
- Non-Ambulatory Bowling
- Cornhole
- Non-Ambulatory Cornhole
- Cycling
- Golf
- Pickleball
- Power Walk
- Race Walk
- Racquetball
- Road Race
- Shuffleboard
- Non-Ambulatory Shuffleboard
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Track & Field Triathlon
- Volleyball
If you aren’t as interested in competing, you can volunteer so that these competitions and games can happen.
5. National Audubon Society
Do you love birdwatching and protecting habitats for your local avian friends? The National Audubon Society is looking for people as passionate as you. When you engage in birdwatching, you’re doing so much more than you realize: You’re observing wildlife and nature.
The National Audubon Society members engage in protecting the environment and its inhabitants from harmful events like climate change. When you join the National Audubon Society, you can work with other people as enthusiastic as you are about conserving habitats and helping birds thrive.
6. SilverSneakers
SilverSneakers is a fitness network for seniors. Offering gym classes in-person and online, SilverSneakers makes staying fit easy and accessible. The online classes are both live and on demand, so you can work out when it best fits your schedule.
SilverSneakers also connects you with other seniors in your area who also have a membership, so if you aren’t close to a gym location, you can work out with the community members near you.
Get Involved at The Moorings of Arlington Heights
The Moorings of Arlington Heights offers premier senior living that focuses on health and wellness and leading a fulfilling life. Residents at The Moorings of Arlington Heights can join a number of clubs in the community to connect with others and, most of all, have fun.
In addition to the social clubs at The Moorings of Arlington Heights, community programming includes engaging activities and exciting social events so you can lead a dynamic and robust lifestyle full of experiences that bring you joy. Learn more about life at The Moorings of Arlington Heights, and give us a call at 847-641-2421 to schedule a tour.
