Friendships transcend age, gender and even religion, and are a beautiful addition to anyone’s life. Friends make your life infinitely better, and are there for you, in good times and bad, more so, when you grow older, as kids carve a path of their own, and get busy. An instagram page called gujarati_grandparents, chronicling the lives of two gujarati grand parents living in the UK, recently posted a heartwarming video. The account, handled by their granddaughter Rupa, showed Chandrakant (Nanu), and Sharda (Nini), as Nanu is bed ridden, and few of his friends visit him. Together, the four men sing ‘Tere jaisa yaar kahaan’ to Nanu, as he enjoys while lying down, as Nini looks on. Posting the same, Rupa wrote,“At the end of a long life, friendship is still the greatest comfort.”Nanu loved socialising so much. He missed his friends when he moved to Leicester, but many of them kept in touch and he has some great memories with them. He also made some nice friends in Leicester. He loved going to the Pub and having a pint. 🍺A bittersweet moment captured here with Nanu and some of his friends as they visited him for the last time. ” Take a look… Internet reactsSocial media showered love on the video, saying such friendships are rare, especially at Nanu’s age. One user wrote, “How blessed Nanu is and how blessed we are to see this 💗 The loss feels so personal, Nanu was a pure soul and you can tell how loved he was. Cheers to you Nanu 🧿🙏🏽 Sending you, Nini and the family love and strength🤍🤍” Another one wrote, “Nanu will truly be missed. He was such an amazing soul, full of life. May God grant Sadgati to his soul. ❤️🪽😇”Brought back nostalgiaAnother user added, “So beautiful to capture this moment! Reminds me of when I took a video and pictures like this of my pops in hospital and when his school friends came to visit him. My pops was also a pure devotee of jalaram bapa 🙏🩵🙏” Another wrote, “This made me emotional 😢”, while another added, “😭😭😭😭. What a blessing to have a goodbye and see his friends! This is so beautiful. ❤️❤️❤️”Why friendships matter a lot in old ageOlder people tend to value their friendships more than most individuals understand. Old age friends serve as essential life support, because they provide mental health care, daily assistance and maintain our life direction. Research shows that people who keep their friendships strong during old age, will live longer with better health, higher life satisfaction and greater happiness.Emotional support and less lonelinessOld age brings friends the opportunity to receive emotional backing, which stands as their most valuable friendship benefit. Friends become the initial source of support when children relocate, spouse passes, or when someone develops health issues. The space friendship provides enables people to share their worries, personal stories and feelings, while they receive defense against any negative comments.Older adults experience a dangerous health risk because social isolation creates depression and anxiety, which also raises their chances of developing heart disease. Good friends help reduce loneliness by simply being present, calling regularly, or visiting for a cup of tea. That daily connection can make a huge difference in how a person feels about life.Better physical and mental healthFriendships create heart benefits which extend past emotional well-being, because they produce beneficial effects on heart health and brain function. Research shows:People with this condition have lower blood pressure and their bodies defend against infections more effectively.People in this group show lower risks for developing dementia and memory-related issues.Recover faster from illness or surgeryFriends enable brain function through their emotional support. The combination of social activities including conversation, laughter, game playing and walking together, helps people maintain their mental clarity, while simultaneously lowering their stress levels. People who have good friends tend to experience better hope for their future, and they worry less about aging.A sense of purpose and belongingOlder adults frequently express their concern about losing their life purpose following their retirement, and when their children move out of the house. People form new community bonds through their friendships, which help them create fresh connections with others. The act of joining a group whether it is a walking club, religious organization, hobby group or small group of friends provides someone with a purpose to start their day, by getting ready and feeling positive about what lies ahead.How to keep or build friendships in old ageFriendships don’t always come easily in old age, but they can be nurtured:Stay in touch: A simple call, message, or letter can keep a friendship alive.Join groups: Senior clubs, community centers and hobby classes provide excellent opportunities to connect with others.
About the Author
