{"id":24203,"date":"2025-10-15T14:52:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T20:52:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/?p=24203"},"modified":"2025-12-01T09:15:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T16:15:01","slug":"age-the-friendship-factor-in-healthy-aging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-the-friendship-factor-in-healthy-aging\/","title":{"rendered":"AGE | The Friendship Factor in Healthy Aging"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"24203\" class=\"elementor elementor-24203\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a0bf3d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2a0bf3d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;position&quot;:&quot;fixed&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-941aa68 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"941aa68\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f19fe09 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f19fe09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-home\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"934\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/version-2-AGE-logo-dark.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-20984\" alt=\"AGE logo with heart and two figures icon, linking to the Adapt, Grow, Empower homepage\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/version-2-AGE-logo-dark.png 2000w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/version-2-AGE-logo-dark-768x359.png 768w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/version-2-AGE-logo-dark-1536x717.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efebd91 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"efebd91\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0693a83 elementor-nav-menu__align-center elementor-nav-menu--stretch elementor-nav-menu__text-align-center elementor-widget-tablet__width-inherit elementor-nav-menu--dropdown-tablet elementor-nav-menu--toggle elementor-nav-menu--burger elementor-widget elementor-widget-nav-menu\" data-id=\"0693a83\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;full_width&quot;:&quot;stretch&quot;,&quot;layout&quot;:&quot;horizontal&quot;,&quot;submenu_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&lt;i class=\\&quot;fas fa-caret-down\\&quot; aria-hidden=\\&quot;true\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/i&gt;&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;},&quot;toggle&quot;:&quot;burger&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav aria-label=\"AGE Main menu\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu--main elementor-nav-menu__container elementor-nav-menu--layout-horizontal e--pointer-underline e--animation-fade\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-0693a83\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21603\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-home\/age-blog-category\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">The AGE Blog<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21602\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-meet-our-authors\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Meet our AGE experts<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22018\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-resources\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">AGE Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-toggle\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Menu Toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--open eicon-menu-bar\"><\/i><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--close eicon-close\"><\/i>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"elementor-nav-menu--dropdown elementor-nav-menu__container\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-2-0693a83\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21603\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-home\/age-blog-category\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">The AGE Blog<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21602\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-meet-our-authors\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Meet our AGE experts<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22018\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-resources\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">AGE Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-119165f e-con-full elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"119165f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a086056 elementor-align-right elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"a086056\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/newsletter\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Subscribe to the AGE Newsletter<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29ca56f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"29ca56f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bcb506c elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bcb506c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">AGE | The Friendship Factor in Healthy Aging<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b92977 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2b92977\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Age_Quat-3.10.png\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536 wp-image-24205\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Age_Quat-3.10.png 1200w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Age_Quat-3.10-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f26be6c e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f26be6c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78fe8d4 elementor-author-box--image-valign-middle elementor-widget elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"78fe8d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"elementor-author-box__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-6-Melissa-Cooke.png\" alt=\"Picture of Melissa Cook\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-author-box__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMelissa Cook\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db9be4a elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"db9be4a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-a3a363a elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/2025\/10\/15\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-calendar\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>October 15, 2025<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73c207a elementor-share-buttons--shape-rounded elementor-share-buttons--view-icon-text elementor-share-buttons--skin-gradient elementor-grid-0 elementor-share-buttons--color-official elementor-widget elementor-widget-share-buttons\" data-id=\"73c207a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"share-buttons.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_linkedin\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-linkedin\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLinkedIn\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_facebook\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-facebook\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacebook\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_email\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fas fa-envelope\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_print\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on print\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fas fa-print\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrint\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f96d4ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f96d4ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Discussions on healthy aging often focus on eating right and staying active, but equally important is staying socially connected. Strong social ties improve mental health, reduce the risk of depression, ease loneliness, and even extend life.<\/p><p>In its \u201cKeys to Embracing Aging\u201d program, the Kansas State University Extension identifies twelve practices that support healthy aging. One simple but powerful key is to maintain social connections.<\/p><p>Making and keeping connections takes extra effort for many older adults, especially those who live alone or have limited mobility. Even so, a little effort can make a meaningful difference. Consider these ways of building and maintaining relationships:<\/p><ul><li>Pick up the phone and call a friend or family<\/li><li>Schedule video chats; seeing a friendly face can brighten your<\/li><li>Write a letter or email to stay in<\/li><li>Join a class in person or online through a library, senior center, or UW<\/li><li>Volunteer at a local school, library, or<\/li><li>Attend community<\/li><li>Take part in hobby groups. Connect with others through the arts, book clubs, or outdoor activities.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20b2395 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"20b2395\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Age_Quat-3.11.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24204\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Age_Quat-3.11.png 1200w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Age_Quat-3.11-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-added4e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"added4e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In Wyoming, senior centers play a vital role in helping older adults stay engaged. They offer far more than a place to eat lunch.<\/p><p>These community hubs may host card games, bingo, fitness classes, art workshops, or guest speakers. They create a welcoming space to catch up with old friends or make new ones.<\/p><p>Senior centers also connect people with local resources and services. Many offer transportation and group outings as well as helping with paperwork such as Medicare forms.<\/p><p>Staying socially connected offers companionship, laughter, and a sense of belonging, which brings increased health and happiness at every stage of life. The \u201cKeys to Embracing Aging\u201d remind us that healthy living is not only about our bodies. It is also about the people we share our lives with.<\/p><p>Images from Alena Darmel on Pexels.com.<\/p><p><strong>References &amp; Further Reading:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Kansas State University Research and Extension. <em>Keys to Embracing Aging: Social Activity. <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu\/download\/keys-to-embracing-aging-social-activity_MF3260\"><u>https:\/\/bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu\/download\/keys-to-<\/u> <u>embracing-aging-social-activity_MF3260<\/u><\/a>.<\/li><li>Aging Programs, K-State Research and Extension. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aging.k-state.edu\/programs\/embracing-aging\/\"><u>https:\/\/<\/u>aging.k- <u>state.edu\/programs\/embracing-aging<\/u>.<\/a><\/li><li>National Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety. <em>Keys to Embracing Aging. <a href=\"https:\/\/ncran.org\/resources\/health-promotion\/keys\/\">https:\/\/ncran.org\/resources\/health-promotion\/keys\/<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3608079 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3608079\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21c048f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"21c048f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related Posts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a271496 elementor-posts__hover-none elementor-grid-2 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"a271496\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;cards_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:80,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:71,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:30,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_columns&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.cards\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-cards elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24231 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-age-blog category-mental-health tag-melissa-cook\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-the-healing-power-of-gratitude-for-senior-well-being\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Age_Quat-3.14.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24233\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Age_Quat-3.14.png 1200w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Age_Quat-3.14-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-the-healing-power-of-gratitude-for-senior-well-being\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAGE | The Healing Power of Gratitude for Senior Well-Being\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>In recent years, gratitude has gained attention not just as a feel-good practice but as a powerful tool for improving mental health, especially among older adults. Research supports that gratitude has the power to heal.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-the-healing-power-of-gratitude-for-senior-well-being\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about AGE | The Healing Power of Gratitude for Senior Well-Being\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRespectful terms for aging\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24203 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-age-blog category-mental-health tag-melissa-cook\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-the-friendship-factor-in-healthy-aging\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Age_Quat-3.10.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24205\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Age_Quat-3.10.png 1200w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Age_Quat-3.10-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-the-friendship-factor-in-healthy-aging\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAGE | The Friendship Factor in Healthy Aging\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>Discussions on healthy aging often focus on eating right and staying active, but equally important is staying socially connected. Strong social ties improve mental health, reduce the risk of depression, ease loneliness, and even extend life.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-the-friendship-factor-in-healthy-aging\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about AGE | The Friendship Factor in Healthy Aging\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRespectful terms for aging\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71b6614 e-con-full elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"71b6614\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f9beeb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5f9beeb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fbf515a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fbf515a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cdf4bb e-con-full elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7cdf4bb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10f5bf2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"10f5bf2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"mc_embed_shell\" style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;\">\n    <!-- Load Montserrat font -->\n    <link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Montserrat:wght@400&display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n    <link href=\"\/\/cdn-images.mailchimp.com\/embedcode\/classic-061523.css\" rel=\"stylesheet\" type=\"text\/css\">\n\n    <style type=\"text\/css\">\n        \/* A.G.E Style Guide - Form Styling *\/\n        #mc_embed_signup {\n            background: #751916;\n            font-family: Georgia, serif;\n            color: #fff9ef;\n            width: 600px;\n            padding: 0;\n            border-radius: 0;\n        }\n\n        #mc_embed_signup h2 {\n            color: #fff9ef;\n            font-size: 22px;\n            font-weight: bold;\n        }\n\n        .mc-field-group label {\n            display: block;\n            font-weight: bold;\n            margin-bottom: 5px;\n            color: #fff9ef;\n        }\n\n        .mc-field-group input {\n            width: 100%;\n            padding: 10px;\n            border: 1px solid #C7B8A3;\n            border-radius: 0;\n            font-size: 16px;\n            background-color: #fff9ef;\n            color: #751916;\n        }\n\n        .mc-field-group input:focus {\n            border-color: #fff9ef;\n            outline: none;\n        }\n\n        .clear {\n            text-align: left;\n            margin-top: 15px;\n        }\n\n        \/* Updated subscribe button styling *\/\n        #mc-embedded-subscribe {\n            background-color: #fcc426 !important;\n            color: #000 !important;\n            font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif !important;\n            font-weight: 400 !important;\n            font-size: 18px;\n            padding: 12px 20px;\n            border: none;\n            border-radius: 0;\n            cursor: pointer;\n            transition: background 0.3s ease-in-out;\n        }\n\n        #mc-embedded-subscribe:hover {\n            opacity: 0.9;\n        }\n\n        .indicates-required {\n            font-size: 14px;\n            color: #fff9ef;\n        }\n\n        .asterisk {\n            color: #fcc426;\n            font-weight: bold;\n        }\n    <\/style>\n\n    <div id=\"mc_embed_signup\">\n        <form action=\"https:\/\/uwagnews.us7.list-manage.com\/subscribe\/post?u=cb8999ef298e9ea4f948d46ed&amp;id=9dd2b688cc&amp;f_id=00a642e4f0\" \n              method=\"post\" id=\"mc-embedded-subscribe-form\" name=\"mc-embedded-subscribe-form\" class=\"validate\" target=\"_blank\">\n            \n            <div id=\"mc_embed_signup_scroll\">\n                <h2>Stay informed. 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Strong social ties improve mental health, reduce the risk of depression, ease loneliness, and even extend life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":24205,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_canvas","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2457,2460],"tags":[2463],"class_list":["post-24203","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-age-blog","category-mental-health","tag-melissa-cook"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Age_Quat-3.10.png","post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24203","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24203"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24203\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24563,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24203\/revisions\/24563"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24205"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24203"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24203"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24203"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}