Group trips boost happiness for older people: study

Older people are happier, more confident and form new friendships when they go on group excursions, a new study found.
Researchers at Macquarie University studied a group of adults over the age of 65 who went on group trips such as horse riding, river cruises or to musicals, and even riding Harley Davidson motorbikes, and found that group activities improved the participants' quality of life.
âThe benefits were largely related to social wellbeing,â said Dr Joyce Siette, who led the study at Macquarie Universityâs Australian Institute of Health Innovation.
âThey loved having the opportunity to socialise and make new friendships. It was amazing â some of the participants even started having sleepovers with their friends as relationships continued after the program.â
Siette and her team surveyed the adults prior to the excursions and most of the participants, whose average age was 81, reported their quality of life as "moderate".
After the trips, participants felt happier and more confident.
"I feel like my old self again,â said Larry*, a participant who said heâd withdrawn âinto a shellâ for about 10 years and didnât go out.
âSince the program started Iâm more connected and Iâm communicating regularly.â
The adults, all of whom were living independently and receiving community-based services from either the Commonwealth Home Support Program or the Home Care Package Program, were offered the opportunity to go on an average of one activity a fortnight, lasting from two hours to half a day.
Siette and her team surveyed the adults after six months in the program.
Participants liked doing activities in a group and having a choice of activity. Having a day out to look forward to was also a positive for many of the adults.
âIf youâre on your own you think, I wonât do that or Iâll do that tomorrow,â says Dorothy*, another participant. âNow I get quite excited. I think 'tomorrow weâre going out', and it gives me a lift.â
The researchers also interviewed carers who reported significant improvements in their loved ones, while the trips also gave them some respite.
Siette said the government should focus on initiatives which provide older people the opportunity to engage with the community and form social connections.
"Excursion, group-based activities that focus on building and bridging relationships can create a sense of belonging and inclusion, address social loneliness and improve older adultsâ physical, mental and social outcomes,â she said.
*Not their real names
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