Happy, positive relationships play a major role in our mental and physical wellness. As humans, we crave socialization and the ability to connect with others who share our same values, passions, and circumstances.Relationships are not limited to family or spouses, however. You may have close friends, neighbors, or community church members with whom youve formed strong connections over the years.From coordinating our day with our spouse and children, collaborating with coworkers, and saying hello to our favorite grocery cashier, loving relationships sustain us, define us, and keep us healthy, (University of Utah).As we celebrate the season of love (i.e., Valentines Day), we thought wed take a moment to reflect on the benefits of healthy relationships. Also, we wanted to share how Primrose Retirement Communities work to create safe, fun, and social opportunities for residents to gather and build lasting friendships.Before we discuss the benefits of being in a relationship, lets first review what we mean by healthy relationships.Signs of a Healthy RelationshipTrust:No matter what type of relationship youre in, mutual trust should always be a top priority. This means knowing you can always rely on this person. It also means feeling safe in this persons presence both emotionally and physically.Although weve listed a few other examples below, trust is always at the heart of a healthy relationship. In fact, it makes the other traits possible.Communication: Having trust also means you can talk to this individual freely without fear of ridicule or judgment. Youre able to be open and honest in your interactions.Support: Having someone who has your back during both the good times and challenging ones is essential. With so many changes in the world happening at lightning speed these days, it really is invaluable to find a friend you can count on to listen to your concerns and hold your hand through the journey ahead.Respect: Respecting someone for both his or her similarities and differences is important. This levels the playing field and allows each person to feel equal in the relationship meaning that your contributions to the friendship are both appreciated and valued.Fun: Lets not forget that you should also be able to have fun with this person. You want someone who can make you laugh. Someone who enjoys the types of hobbies you like.Relationship BenefitsNow that we know what to look for in a healthy relationship, lets review why theyre important. And how they can benefit us long term.Its reported that when youre engaged in a healthy relationship, you can expect less stress, a stronger immune system, and a longer lifespan:studies show that people who engage in supportive, positive relationships produce more oxytocin and seem less likely to succumb to the negative effects of stress, anxiety, and depression, (University of Utah).We mentioned Valentines Day earlier, but did you know that positive relationships are also good for the heart? Clinical research continues to demonstrate how relationships can help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and encourage us to pursue healthier lifestyles:Studies have shown physical intimacy, such as holding hands or hugging, can lower levels of stress hormones[b]ut relationships play a bigger role beyond regulating stressA supportive partner might encourage you in healthy ways to exercise or eat better or see a doctor when you need one, (American Heart Association).Why Relationships Are Importantat PrimroseAfter what felt like a never-ending period of lockdowns and social isolation, maintaining positive relationships were certainly put to the ultimate test. But, unfortunately, not everyone was able to receive the type of human contact and support they needed during that time, leading torises in anxiety and depression.At Primrose, our focus has always been to provide residents with access to safe, fun, and entertaining weekly calendar activities. We design these activities to help them build new friendships and surround themselves with a strong support system.In fact, each one of our communities has a team of life enrichment coordinators. These individuals are responsible for creating group activities that inspire, educate, and bring residents together.Activities we offer, but are not limited to, include:BingoMovie nightsIce cream socialsGroup wellness programsPet therapyGame nightsArts and craftsAnd More!In addition to our weekly events, each community also offers access to achapel for praise and worship, library, wellness center, beauty salon, game room, and lifelong learning opportunities.Our Primrose Senior University, for instance, allows residents to attend in-person courses. Topics may range from ancient civilizations and mythology to favorite pastimes and local historic landmarks. These educational programs provide residents with new opportunities to expand their minds while they learn, create, and engage with each other on a diverse variety of subjects.To find what type of exciting and social activities are happening at a Primrose near you, check out ourcommunities page. You can then select a Primrose in your area. From there, youll be able to browse our endless amenities and activities!Building Friendships & Transforming LivesAt Primrose, we want your first positive relationship to be with our team, who will respect, support, and encourage you to live each day to its fullest potential. And our goal is to build trust with you, so you start seeing us more as family.

As technology continues to evolve, staying up-to-date on current trends and security best practices can feel dauntingespecially for seniors with less experience using tablets or other smart devices.You might assume learning new tech skills will be complicated or take too long to master. But becoming a tech-savvy senior is easier than you think. In fact, there are plenty of ways to stay informed and take advantage of everything technology offers.Become a Tech-Savvy Senior [in 5 Easy Steps]With the right tools and resources, seniors can become tech and computer savvy. So get ready to unlock the benefits of going digital with a few simple tips and tricks.Step One: Learn the BasicsThere are several ways to connect to the internet: mobile, Wi-Fi, broadband, DSL, cable, satellite, dial-up, etc.But to access the internet at home, youll need an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and a router to connect to the ISP. You can then use the broadband connection from the router to access the internet from your desktop computer, tablet, and smartphone simultaneouslyand at much faster speeds.Once you connect your device to a secured internet connection, you can start browsing the internet and accessing Web applications that allow you to connect to family and pique your interest!Secured vs. Unsecured Connections [a quick reminder]Home routers offer secure internet connections as they require password verification (i.e., a security encryption key). However, unsecured Wi-Fi connections are often standard in public areas. This may include coffee shops, restaurants, libraries, etc. Think popular areas where a business or building owner offers patrons public (i.e., free) Wi-Fi.Though convenient, unsecured Wi-Fi connections leave you vulnerable to online hackers. Primarily, if you use a smart device to check your banking account information and emails or purchase products online, you could be at risk. Therefore, its best to use only secured connections when accessing the internet.Step 2: Keep Your Android & iOS Apps UpdatedWhether you own an Apple (iOS) or Android device, staying up to date on the latest versions of your apps is essential. There are two main reasons for this:Updating your devices software and applications will improve your online experience (e.g., access to updated features, removing bugs, increasing page speed, etc.).Updating your software increases its security and your privacy.To put it simply, when a new version becomes available on your device, be sure to update it. Remember, newly released versions may have improved security patches that protect you from malicious activities and private data breaches.Step 3: Connect with Family using Messaging AppsFamilies can stay connected through popular messaging apps like GroupMe, WhatsApp, and Viber. Facebook Messenger is another option, as is Google Hangouts.Using these apps, you, friends, and loved ones can stay updated with daily events and share funny gifs and photos in group chats. In addition, these platforms also offer the ability to send pictures, videos, and even play games together, creating an environment for meaningful collaborations across generations.And if youre looking for the right messaging tool, ask the grandkids for help! They may already be using one and can add your account to the group chat, so you can check in and stay connected.Step 4: Discover the Perks of AI-Enabled DevicesAI technology is designed to make life easier and help you pursue your hobbies and interests. For example, smart headphones can amplify voices or filter out background noise, so you can enjoy streaming music or tuning into your favorite audiobook or podcast without interruption.In addition, AI-enabled devices, such as Amazons Alexa, can help you set daily reminders and alarms or get weather reports and traffic updates. Other voice-command virtual assistants, such as Apples Siri, Google Nest Hub, or Amazons Echo Show, can answer questions and provide information about products and services youre interested in. The best part is you can connect with loved ones by asking your assistant to call them or start a video chat.With such virtual capabilities, tech-savvy seniors can remain socially engaged and informed right from their living rooms.Step 5: Explore Online Options for Daily TasksAs more and more tasks become digitized, you can enjoy endless online options for shopping, banking, and other everyday activities.For example, if your financial institution offers mobile banking, you can contact them to help you download their app and learn more about their mobile features and capabilities.Mobile banking is a great way to check your account balances and notify your lender of any unusual activities. It also allows you to complete various tasks, such as paying bills and transferring money between accounts from the comfort of your home.How Technology Can Help Seniors Beat Loneliness and IsolationThough online communication is no substitute for in-person connection, it does permit us the benefit of hearing and seeing our friends and family from miles away.Additionally, technology provides a unique opportunity for intergenerational activities. From younger generations teaching seniors how to use their smart devices to playing games online to sharing news, gifs, videos, and information, technology helps seniors become more active with their families and also find new social circles to engage with based on shared interests.To learn more about the benefits of intergenerational activities, read our latest article.Internet Security Tips & Best PracticesBefore we go, we wanted to provide a few tips on how tech-savvy seniors can stay safe online.Having strong and unique passwords.Avoiding clicking on suspicious links or emails.Downloading anti-virus software to help protect you from malware attacks.Consider utilizing two-factor authentication, when possible, which adds a layer of security to your accounts.Ask for help.This last tip is key! When in doubt, ask someone else you trust for support. At Primrose Retirement Communities, for example, our residents know they can come to any staff member with questions or concerns, especially about their online security.In fact, we offer classes at many of our locations that focus on teaching seniors' technology best practices. This way they feel confident and in control of their online activities. We also help our residents set up their smart devices, such as Skype or Apples Facetime, so they can connect with friends and loved ones from anywhere in the privacy of their own apartment homes.Get More Senior Living ResourcesRemember, you can be tech savvy at any age! To find more resources on living your best senior life, browse our blog for helpful articles and tips.And to learn more about how Primrose is supporting tech-savvy seniors with interactive classes and activities, we invite you to find a Primrose near you and schedule an in-person tour to explore our community!