Fun & Fulfillment

Our lives tend to get so busy that we often push social connections to the bottom of our list. What we often don’t realize is that social connections are just as important to our overall health and older adults are more likely to lack social connections, so it is important to seek opportunities that encourage you to step out of routine and create connections that will sustain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Thankfully, because AARP wants your health, wealth, and happiness to live as long as you do, it offers programs with actionable steps to nurture these social connections.

The AARP Virtual Community Center was originally created as a resource center for social connections for the 50-plus to maintain fun and fulfilling moments with others during the pandemic and has continued to encourage connections between people with similar interests through the virtual community events offered. It has continued to provide a space where individuals can lead more connected lives through self-improvement activities, knowledge-enriching courses, and fun!?

I also encourage you to visit AARP’s State Offices pages, which are available in both English and Spanish, to join the fun and make connections in your local communities. These pages offer opportunities for local events or events “cerca de ti” and empower you to foster more connections by encouraging you to attend classes on a variety of topics — from cooking to meditation, from history classes to lectures on Artificial Intelligence. These pages frequently offer new classes, so I encourage you to check regularly. There are also opportunities to make a difference in your community by getting involved and giving back. AARP offers the opportunity to volunteer in ways that leverage your skills and experience.??

AARP is also making a real impact on making livable communities across the country by encouraging individuals to get more involved. AARP's social connection offerings make communities more livable and support the efforts to make great places for people of all ages to live. AARP is a firm believer that communities should have safe, walkable streets, transportation that is age-friendly, access to a variety of services, and opportunities for all community members to participate in community life through social connections. AARP is taking actionable steps toward fostering livable communities for all individuals. For example, the AARP Community Challenge grants funds a broad range of projects, including efforts to improve public spaces, transportation, housing, civic engagement, diversity and inclusion, and far more than I can describe here. So far, they have granted $12.7 million in grants nationwide. This grant is worth exploring if you are active, or would like to be, in your community. It is worth underscoring that community events bring people together, instill an important sense of belonging, and often help improve the livability of a community, both in terms of physical space and the impact of the events themselves. There are many points of entry to community involvement and participation — and AARP is here to help.?

Creating and nurturing these social connections plays an important role in leading healthy and happier lives as we age, so I encourage you all to find a class, or an event, and feed your mind, heart, and soul with all the AARP offerings. There is something for everyone to engage with and visit these pages frequently because the offerings grow regularly. And most important, make sure you do things for your self-improvement, learning, and fun.