Lots of seniors move to assisted living communities because they want to make some new friends and enjoy their golden years. It’s natural to be nervous about making friends in assisted living, but don’t worry. With some work and patience, you’ll find your people before you know it!
How to Find New Friends in Assisted Living
Have you ever been the new kid on the first day of school? If you have, you know it can be scary to go somewhere new and try to make friends. No matter how old you are, being the new person in a new place can take some getting used to. If you’ve made the jump to a senior community, you may wonder how to find new friends in assisted living. The good news is that making friends hasn’t changed that much since your school days. You just have to put yourself out there, be patient, and have fun.
Get Yourself Out There with Meals and Activities
When trying to make friends in any situation, it’s always a good idea to check out places where people are likely to socialize. In assisted living, social connections often begin during meals or planned activities. A great senior living community will offer a calendar of events for you to participate in with other residents, including everything from movie nights to field trips out and about in the community. It can be a great way to get to know your new home and make new friends. If you are looking for a more low-key way to get to know your fellow residents, invite them to join you for a snack or a daily meal. You can even have a friend or family member join you at the table for extra support.
Explore What’s Happening in Your New Neighborhood
Making friends with people who live in your community is a great place to start, but don’t forget that there’s still a whole world outside your new home to explore. If you’re looking to make friends, senior-focused exercise classes or community events can help you meet other seniors with common interests. You can also meet new friends through everyday senior activities like volunteering. Developing interests outside your assisted living community will give you new things to talk about with your neighbors, and you can even invite them to join you! The more active and engaged you are in your community, the easier making friends will become.
Be Patient and Kind to Yourself
Believe it or not, most people are somewhat shy about making new friends, especially in their golden years. Making new friends takes patience, regular interactions with others, and a little bit of luck. If your first attempts don’t work out, it’s always okay to try again. Don’t be afraid to start conversations, greet new people with a smile, and see where new interactions take you. Before you know it, you’ll have made some friends you look forward to seeing every day.
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Making new friends in assisted living is easy when you move to an active and supportive senior living community. Crossings at Riverview is proud to offer all kinds of opportunities for our residents to meet, have fun, and thrive together. Visit us today and find out for yourself!
Are you looking for a relaxing place to retire near Riverview, Florida? Check out the Crossings at Riverview, located near Tampa, Florida. We invite you to tour our community, meet our friendly staff, and see our amenities first-hand. Overlooking the Alafia River on twelve beautiful acres, the Crossings at Riverview offers a relaxing atmosphere, and our talented team is committed to cultivating a welcoming and vibrant community. Our goal is to make our community feel like home for all of our residents. To schedule a tour, contact us online. We look forward to meeting you!