Impact of Senior Center Friendships on Aging Women Who Live Alone

ABSTRACT

Elderly women who live alone are considered at greater risk for loneliness, depression, and decreased mobility. This paper examines the influences of late-life friendships and senior center activities on the health and well-being of aging women living alone. Based on the findings from 274 women living alone it was found that the senior center is an excellent environment where new supportive friendships can easily be formed. These friendships and other center activities have positive mental and physical outcomes. Using a comparison group of 171 elderly women living with their spouses, it was discovered that women who lived alone participated in center activities more frequently and, as a result, also created a social network that extended outside of the center environment.

KEYWORDS:

• Living arrangement
• social support
• mental health
• life satisfaction
• senior center
• living alone
• support activities
• independence