In the know.

Senior Living at MRC The Langford –
Where Socialization Improves Mental Health

Psychologists, counselors, doctors, and the Bible all promote relationships for mental and physical health. Everyone at every age needs friends!

“Throughout life, close friends provide a strong foundation of compassion and trust for many people, and they can be come even more important as we age.” Friends encourage one another to eat well for good mental and physical health. They challenge each other to be positive and to consider others’ needs. And when we emulate the positivity and compassion of our peers, we simply feel better.

Godly friends help us keep Christ at the center of our lives, and, by doing so, help us cling to joy. Colossians 3:16 encourages “one another” living. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

Friends remind senior adults that there is still purpose in life…to keep growing and learning. Finding purpose is often easier as part of a bible study, a prayer team, or a care group than in isolation. God speaks to us through our relationships; and of course, our most important relationship is the one we have with Him. God commands us to spread a message of hope which, by its very nature, involves socialization. Although this is an act of obedience, a life lived on a mission (spreading hope) tends to provide a person with greater empathy which connects them to other people in deep and meaningful ways.

To conclude…connectedness will save us from losing our memories, feeling depressed, and from feeling life is meaningless as we age. God is a relational God after all, and He said from the beginning, “It is not good for man to be alone.”  

Thank you for reading these notes that I took as I read an article regarding socialization and mental health. I just wanted to share this with you and celebrate your decision to live at MRC The Langford in a community of people, instead of staying in your homes and becoming more isolated as you age. Additionally, I wanted to continue to encourage you, because I see the friendships forming and the empathy and deep compassion you have for each other. It’s such a beautiful thing to witness the love of God flowing through the hearts of people, and I see this in all of you. I continue to thank God for each of you and thank Him for allowing a way for me to meet you and experience His love with you. You are all a tremendous blessing in my life!

“May the Lord bless you and keep you; May He make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26

Love Always and Forever,

Janis Godby, MRC The Langford Chaplain

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