By Donna Jones
Connecting with one another is the message from Queensland Seniors Month in October.
Humans are social creatures, and have a fundamental need to connect and interact with one another and this year’s theme ‘Social Connections’ designed to reinforce the importance of feeling socially connected.
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland’s Chief Executive Mark Tucker-Evans said research has shown that social connections not only impact your mental health, but your physical health as well.
A review of 148 studies across nearly 309,000 participants indicated that the individuals with stronger social relationships had a 50 per cent increased likelihood of survival.
This remained true across a number of factors, including age, sex, initial health status, and cause of death.
“One study showed that social connection is a greater determinant to health than obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure.
“And social connection doesn’t necessarily mean physically being present with people in a literal sense, but someone’s subjective experience of feeling understood and connected to others.”
“Whether it be attending a dance or cooking class, a morning tea or concert, sharing a meal, experience, passion, or having a chat with a neighbour over the fence, we simply feel good when we connect.”
During the month people of all ages, cultures, and abilities will be able connect and celebrate the important and essential roles older people play in our communities.
The Gympie region will have many opportunities for residents to interact of all ages, not just seniors, with a raft of events including;
* Adults Learn to Sew – Beginner class four week course at the Gympie Library
* Gympie Library Craft Group every Monday at the Library
* Pickleball Meetup in Kandanga every Tuesday at the Kandanga Tennis Club
* Cricut Craft Collective every Tuesday at the Gympie Library
* The Goomeri Seniors Celebration on 12 October at the Hall of Memory
* Smartphones: Getting Started course on 14 October at Gympie Library. Morning is Apple iPhone, afternoon is Android phones.
* Gympie Lions Community Morning Tea on 14 October at the Gympie Senior Citizens Centre
* Rainbow Beach Art Group on 15 October at Rainbow Beach Library
* Writing Fridays are the third Friday of the month (15 October) at Gympie Library
* Free coffee and hearing screening at Alchemy on Southside on 15 October
* ’Get Online. Get Connected.’ free program on 18 October at PHN Gympie, 4 Horseshoe Bend
* Explore Google Earth and Beyond on 21 October at Rainbow Beach Library
* Gympie Senior’s Computing Group on 21 October at Gympie Library
* Game On social games like chess, backgammon, cards, mahjong on 21 October at Gympie Library
* Gallery Exhibition Tour on 22 October at Gympie Regional Gallery
* Cooloola Coast Seniors Expo on 23 October at Cooloola Coast Bowls Club
* Nibbles and Giggles at Goomeri on 26 October at Goomeri Library
* Smartphones: Doing More course on 28 October. Morning is Apple iPhone, afternoon is Android phones.
* Last Friday Social Club – The Honey of Australian Native Stingless Bees Talk on 29 October at Gympie Library.
Beginning on the United Nations International Day of Older Persons the month will end on National Grandparents Day, 31 October.
For information on the Lions Morning Tea, call 0492 993 991 between 9am and 3pm.
For information on the Get Online. Get Connected. program call 0418 419 323.
For information on the Free Coffee and Hearing Screen call 5321 3187.
For information for all other events listed, contact Gympie Regional Council on 1300 807 800.
