It is common knowledge these days that as we age, we should strive to keep our bodies and minds active; However, recent research shows that it is also very important to stay socially active. Isolation and loneliness are an increasing reality for older people who lose friends and family, either to illness or simply by moving away. Other difficulties, such as hearing loss and increased fatigue, make traveling more difficult, as easily as it might have been in younger people, which can also lead to isolation. Many older people live alone and this time spent in isolation can jeopardize their well-being. In fact, loneliness has been identified as one of the main mental health problems affecting older adults (Pettigrew). This literature review will explore some of the most recent research findings that support the idea that remaining socially active has many positive influences on the older population. A recent study done at Rush University Medical Center concluded that higher levels of social activity correlate with decreased risk. to become disabled (James). Social activity has been recognized for some time as an important part of healthy aging, but it is now confirmed to lead to better functionality in older adults. In this study, more than 1,100 adults aged 65 or older were qualitatively assessed annually for a period of 5 to 12 years. They indicated on a scale how many times per week or year they participated in activities such as going to restaurants, sporting events, or playing bingo; take day or overnight trips; doing unpaid community or volunteer work; visiting the homes of relatives or friends; participate in groups, such as a senior center, the Knights of Columbus, the Rosary Society, or something similar; and attend to the c...... middle of paper ......54-57. Retrieved from http://webpro.ctx.edu:2275/education/docview/235265301/fulltextPDF/134CACC7895752E5B6 2/ 1?accountid=7023David, C., Wilson, BE and Henderson, KA (2009). Experiences of participating in senior games among older people. Journal of Leisure Research, 41(1), 41-56. Retrieved from http://webpro.ctx.edu:2275/education/docview/201124381/fulltextPDF/134CAD55B294085AA00/1?accountid=7023Larsson, A., Haglund, L., & Hagberg, J. (2009). Doing daily life - experiences of the oldest. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 16(2), 99-109. doi:10.1080/11038120802409762Bryan D. James, Robert S. Wilson, Lisa L. Barnes, and David A. Bennett (2011). Late-life social activity and cognitive decline in older adults. Journal of the International Society of Neuropsychology, 17, pp 998-1005 doi:10.1017/S1355617711000531