As Relevant – and Vital – As Any Online Group, Old-Fashioned Social Networking Works Wonders

Ten years ago, Terry L. saw an ad in a local San Diego newspaper about a concept in living about which she'd never heard - the continuing care retirement community, or CCRC.

"I wasn't familiar with the concept," Terry, who was in her 60's at the time, said of CCRCs.  CCRCs offer independent living with a combination of a private residence, services, amenities and care (for example, assisted living, memory support care and skilled nursing care).

One of Terry's biggest concerns about moving from her longtime home to a new home at a CCRC was having to give up her social network.  This isn't social networking like one finds online, but the old-fashioned kind, where people meet face-to-face.

"I love my friends," Terry said.  "I love to cook for them.  And I enjoy having company in my home."

It's with this kind of social networking in mind that Terry chose to move into a private residence at Vi at La Jolla Village in San Diego, which includes a well-equipped kitchen and dining room among its numerous amenities.

After she moved in, it didn't take long for Terry's new neighbors at Vi at La Jolla Village to hear about her legendary cuisine and now she is hosting dinner parties twice a month.  She describes her dinner parties as "lively," where everybody's happy - sometimes, after the meal, they all sing karaoke.

"My next door neighbor had never sung karaoke before," Terry said.  "He tried it that evening and wouldn't give up the microphone. I was very happy someone else enjoyed it."

Social networking the old-fashioned way, like Terry, improves one's health and longevity, according to Dr. Edward Schneider M.D., who is a professor of gerontology, medicine and biological sciences at the University of Southern California.

"Having a large social network is as important to our health and longevity as are the other factors most often mentioned in determining future health - like not smoking, our waistlines, our diet and exercise," Schneider said.  "Your network includes the friends and family members that you see frequently.  It does not include the mother in law that you are barely on speaking terms with.  It does include your reading group that meets every Tuesday afternoon."

If anything, Terry's social network has expanded since she moved into Vi at La Jolla Village.  She participates in the various programs and activities offered, including fitness classes, jewelry making and attending guest lectures.

"I choose what I'm most interested in and it keeps me busy," she said.  "There are a lot of things to do.  It's a big decision to give up a house but, looking back, I believe I made the best choice of my life."