If you’ve recently made the leap and have moved to a 55+ community, you may feel a little out of sorts. When you live in the same community for most of your life, you make connections and friendships that can last a lifetime. But without this support system nearby, you may feel a little uneasy. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to build senior friendships when living in a 55+ community.
At Leisure Villas, we want our residents and everyone living in 55+ communities to feel at home from the moment they open their doors. But sometimes, the anxiety and newness of the situation can be difficult to overcome. If you want to learn some wonderful ways to build senior friendships after moving into a senior community, keep reading.
The Importance of Senior Friendships
While you may not realize it, making and maintaining friendships is an essential part of a healthy life. Loneliness can have a significant impact on your mental health. By interacting with friends and family, you can improve your overall well-being and reduce the risk of depression. In addition to improving your mental health, senior friendships may also improve your cognitive health.
In a study done by the Aging Research Center, researchers found that staying connected with loved ones may play a role in lessening the effects of dementia. As dementia symptoms progress, they may develop into Alzheimer’s disease, which can make independent living difficult or, in some cases, impossible.
Finally, making and maintaining senior friendships plays a major role in providing a sense of purpose and increasing longevity. Seniors who maintain strong relationships tend to live longer than those who don’t. These friendships help you feel fulfilled and can help boost your self-esteem. But how do you make new senior friendships when you’ve moved to a new community?
How to Make Friends in a 55+ Community
Many senior communities offer a variety of opportunities to make new friends. From community clubhouses to pool areas, movie theaters, and more, there is something for everyone to choose from, where they can make friends with similar interests. Some great ways to build senior friendships while living in a 55+ community include:
1. Exercise Classes
If you enjoy staying physically active, many 55+ communities offer exercise classes where you can stay active while making friends with people who enjoy doing the same. From water aerobics and Tai Chi to dance classes, there are many physical activities you may enjoy where you can begin to build new senior friendships. If you’ve just moved to the community and aren’t sure where to begin, consider asking about the exercise class schedule to see if they offer anything you may enjoy.
2. Book Club
Joining a book club is wonderful for a couple of reasons. First, it is a great way to fuel existing hobbies that you can enjoy on your own. It provides you with inspiration for books to read every month if you’re having a hard time finding something you’d enjoy. However, it also gives you an opportunity to talk about the book with people who’ve also read it. You can bond with members of your book club over your love of literature while being exposed to new media every month.
3. Community Gardens
A community garden is great for a variety of reasons. It offers you an opportunity to spend more time outside, which is especially great if your doctor has recommended increased vitamin D intake. It is also incredibly rewarding following plants from seedling to flowering plants. While enjoying time in the garden, you may also meet people who are also experienced gardeners. They can provide you with advice and help you create a thriving garden for your community.
4. Volunteer Opportunities
If you’ve spent a great portion of your life giving back, this isn’t something you likely want to give up when moving into a 55+ community. Thankfully, there are still plenty of opportunities for seniors to volunteer. These volunteer opportunities often play into your strengths, including tutoring, meal preparation, advocacy, and more. When participating in these volunteer opportunities, you may even meet people with similar interests and morals, making it a great way to build new senior friendships.
5. Movie Night
Movie night is a great way to meet new people without having to be too physically active. If you love watching movies and want to enjoy them on a larger screen, movie night is a great way to do so. You can eat some popcorn, watch a new movie, and discuss it with the people around you. While discussing, you may even find that you have more in common with the people around you than you expected, making it a great way to make new friends.
6. Bowling League
Another great way to stay physically active while making new friends is by joining a bowling league. It gives you an opportunity to spend time with friends at least once a week. If there isn’t a bowling league near you, you might be able to start your own with existing friends and family. When you bring your friends together like this and create a bowling league, you also have the opportunity to meet friends of friends who you may also get along with. Whether you’re starting a new bowling league or joining an existing one, it is a great way to build new senior friendships.
A Supportive Community You’ll Love at Leisure Villas
No matter how long you’ve lived in a senior community, making and maintaining senior friendships is an important part of your life. If you’re looking for a senior community where you are encouraged to build new senior friendships, look no further than our amazing Leisure Villas communities. Our communities offer a great number of opportunities for seniors to spend time with new and old friends while enjoying their favorite hobbies. Whether you’ve just moved to the community or you’re considering moving in, Leisure Villas is the place for you.
To learn more about the benefits of living in a senior community or to schedule a tour of our properties across the Salt Lake City area and beyond, don’t hesitate to contact us today.