b'BODY, MIND & SPIRITCommunity Matters: Why Connection Becomes Even More Important as We Ageby JENNIFER GOODSON, MA, LMHCAmoveintothelateryearsoflife,naturally surrounded her. Friends checked in,coffee with a friend or regular phone calls can swe many things begin to shift. Children andinvited her out, and continued to include herprovide connection and support. These small grandchildrenmaylivefartheraway.in the rhythm of life. Her grief is real and on- but intentional steps toward community help Friendsrelocate,becomeill,orpasson.going, but she is not carrying it alone. strengthen the circle of relationships that sus-LifetransitionsthatoncefeltmanageableAnother family member finds herself in a verytain us through lifes challenges. can slowly narrow the circles of connectiondifferentplace.Beforelosingherhusband,COMMUNITY DOES NOT HAVE aroundus.Yetoneofthemostimportantshe was not involved in any outside groupsTO BE LARGE OR COMPLICATED. ingredients for emotional and mental well- oractivities.Afterhispassing,theabsenceSOMETIMES IT BEGINS WITH SIMPLY being remains the same at every stage of life:of those broader connections has made theSHOWING UP.community. experience of grief even more isolating. DueOneofthegreatestlessonsIhavelearned Humanbeingsarenotdesignedtoliveinto no social outlets, she often withdraws andwhilewatchingthesefamilymemberswalk isolation. We are wired for connection, andspends much of her time alone. through grief is this: Community cannot pre-relationshipsprovideencouragement,be- Watchingthesetwowomennavigatelossvent lifes losses, but it can change how we longing, and support during difficult seasons. has reinforced some ideas I have long be- carry them.In my work as a counselor, I often see howlieved both personally and professionally:In the later years of life, our circles may grow deeply our mental health is connected to theCOMMUNITY DOES NOT REMOVEsmaller,buttheimportanceofconnection presenceor absenceof meaningful rela- GRIEF, BUT IT CAN SOFTEN THEgrows larger. Community reminds us that we tionships. But I have also witnessed this truthWEIGHT OF IT. are seen, valued, and still part of something very personally within my own family. Twomeaningful. While community cannot prevent familymembersofmineexperiencedtheResearch shows that social isolation among heartbreaking loss of their spouses in recentolder adults is linked to increased risk of de- the losses that come with life, it can surround years.Bothwomenlovedtheirhusbandspression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and physi- uswithencouragement,compassion,and deeply, and the loss left a profound space incal health concerns (Centers for Disease Con- companionship as we carry them. HNtheir lives. Yet the way each of them has nav- trol and Prevention, 2024; National Institute onREFERENCESigated grief has looked very different. Aging, 2023). When people feel disconnected or alone for long periods of time, the impactCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention.(2024). One family member has long been surround- Loneliness and social isolation linked to serious health ed by a strong sense of community. She stayscan extend far beyond emotional well-being. conditions.https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/actively involved in her church, participates inMeaningful relationships can serve as a pow- features/lonely-older-adults.htmla local art league, and maintains friendshipserful protective factor. Being part of a churchNational Institute on Aging. (2023). Social isolation, lone-that have been built over many years. Whengroup, volunteer organization, hobby club, orliness in older people pose health risks. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/loneliness-and-social-isolation-tips-stay-her husband passed away, that communityeven maintaining simple routines like a weeklying-connectedABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jennifer Goodson, MA, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor at Pathway Counseling Services in Winter Haven, Fla. She is a professor of Psychology at Warner University and a TEDx and keynote speaker. She earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University. Learn more at www.jennifergoodson.com.centralfloridahealthnews.com CFHN | 7'