February 24, 2020

Getting Social: Helpful Tips for Seniors to Make New Friends

About Brookdale Senior Living

Brookdale Senior Living offers multiple care levels for seniors in more than 600 communities nationwide. Brookdale helps you find the right care plan for yourself or your loved one. With amenities such as transportation services, salons and private dining rooms and activities such as gardening, fitness classes and trivia nights Brookdale caters to a wide range of interests and needs.

Whether you consider yourself a shy person or just don’t find yourself around as many people as you used to, it’s possible your social life could use a boost. Maybe you’ve retired, and without a regular work schedule, you just don’t interact with many people? Even health and mobility issues can create a barrier to social interaction. According to a report prepared by the AARP Foundation, 35 percent of adults over the age of 45 say they feel lonely or isolated — but this doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of opportunities available for older adults to rekindle their social lives; it’s all a matter of deciding how you’d like to spend your time.

Developing a new hobby or joining a class can make it easier to get out of your usual routine and opens you up to meeting new people. While you shouldn’t pressure yourself to make a best friend immediately, these spaces present a chance to meet people who may turn into friends. Look to local parks, recreation centers, colleges, churches or volunteer centers for their offerings and start tapping into your inner social butterfly.

Take an Art Class

Making art has been shown to help boost cognitive skills and help improve the moods of older adults, and art classes or art projects can also create great opportunities to mingle with new people. Helping your neighbor mix paint or asking for input on a creative idea are some ways to strike up a conversation that can lead to a trip to the art supply store and potentially turn into a greater friendship.

Try a Workout Class

Physical activity is always a good idea for seniors looking to stay fit and healthy. Instead of going on a solo morning walk, trying something more interactive can open the doors to a new friendship. It can be as casual as meeting up with a local walking group at a nearby park to hit the trails or signing up for a senior-friendly workout class at a nearby gym — whatever gets you out of the house and talking to new people!

Find a Book Club

If working up a sweat isn’t your thing or you’re just not as mobile as you used to be, try a more relaxed group activity like a joining a book club. You’ll finally have the perfect reason to catch up on a good read while making a few new friends. Plus, most book clubs only meet once a month, so it shouldn’t take up too much of your time.

Join a Volunteer Group

A recent study suggests that seniors who volunteer regularly reported a decrease in feelings of isolation after two years. Volunteering not only helps you to make a positive impact on your community, but it also gives you a chance to meet people from all walks of life, whether it’s the people you’re helping or other volunteers. Feed the homeless at a soup kitchen or become a foster grandparent; either way, you’ll be making a difference in both your life and the lives of those you help.

Move to a Senior Living Community

If your lack of social activity is a result of not being around a group of people you can relate to, transitioning into a senior living community might be just what you need. Communities like Brookdale are filled with people similar in age and ability, so you know you’re likely to have something in common with them. With all the events organized at Brookdale, there’ll be plenty of chances to mix and mingle, from lunch dates to exciting outings.