Dear Eric: I am a 70-year-old woman who has a wonderful husband. I have some health issues, including cognitive impairment. For this reason, I do not drive, and I depend on my husband for all shopping and doctor’s appointments. Do you have any advice for making social connections?

— Lonely

Dear Lonely: Making and maintaining social connections is going to look a little different at this point than perhaps it did in the past. This is neither good nor bad; change happens. But the fact that you have a desire to make connections is a fantastic first step.

There’s evidence that socializing can help with cognitive performance, as well. A 2021 study by the Center for Healthy Aging at Penn State found that when adults ages 70 and 90 experienced more frequent social interactions, they also had b

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