How to Make Friends in a Senior Living Community
Many seniors can fear moving into a senior living community because they’re giving up their familiar surroundings. You might have become used to your neighborhood or worry about giving up your social network.
Moving into a senior living community doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to your friends and family. In fact, this living arrangement provides many fantastic opportunities to make new friends. Are you ready to welcome new members into your social circle? Here are some helpful tips for making friends in a senior living community:
Tip #1: Participate in Activities and Events
Most senior living communities strive to ensure every day is engaging and fun for their residents. As a result, you can typically expect many activities and events every month. Take notice of the ones that hold your interest and participate in as many as you would like.
Alongside being able to enjoy doing something that grabs your attention, you can also make friends in the process. Many senior living community residents love participating in activities and socializing with like-minded people while they do.
Tip #2: Dine in Common Areas
Many senior living communities go the extra mile for their residents by providing chef-prepared meals and snacks every day. These are often served in shared dining spaces. While many residents can cook and eat in their own apartments, you may enjoy having meals prepared for you and eating them with fellow residents.
As well as enjoying the restaurant-like environment, you can also sit with other residents, chat, laugh, and get to know them. It can be easier than you think to make new friends when you’re sharing mealtimes together every day.
Tip #3: Attend Social Hours
You may not wish to participate in all fun activities and events hosted in your senior living community. Fortunately, they aren’t the only opportunities you’ll have to meet new people. You can also attend social hours.
Many standout senior living communities plan weekly Happy Hour and Wine Wednesday events for residents to kick back, relax, enjoy a drink, and socialize with their friends. It may only be a matter of time until you’ve found a new social circle to enjoy the company of.
Tip #4: Use Community Resources
Most senior living communities provide many resources, services, and amenities to help their residents live life to the fullest. The more of these resources you enjoy, the more people you can meet. Don’t be afraid to talk to your community’s social director or coordinator to learn more.
Tip #5: Be Approachable and Open
Change can be scary, and you may not feel overly social when you first move into a senior living community. However, being approachable and open can be among the best ways to foster fast friendships in senior living communities.
Greet your neighbors, exchange pleasantries, and ask questions to get to know fellow residents. You may have long-lasting friendships before long!
Tip #6: Be Patient
Just as it can take time to make friends in a new neighborhood, the same can be said for senior living communities. It can take time to learn who your neighbors are. Put time and effort into participating in community events, and you can naturally make friends within a matter of days or weeks.
Make Friends at Bellarose Senior Living
Making friends in a senior living community can be easier than you think. You may find your tight-knit group of friends at Bellarose Senior Living! Schedule a tour of our senior living community in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to learn more about everyday life, socializing, and getting the most out of every day.
