Having regular social contacts with friends and loved ones is sky to avoiding depression, which can lead to premature death, something that's particularly prevalent in elderly windows and widowers. Some psychologists even think that one of the biggest benefits elderly folks get from exercise the strong social interactions that come from walking with a buddy or taking a group exercise class. Having a daily connection with a close friend or family member gives older folks the added benefit of having someone watch their back. "They'll tell you if they think your memory is going or if you seem more with drawn, "says Perks," and they might push you to see a doctor before you recognize that you need to see one yourself.