Making lasting friendships as an adult can seem challenging, but if you put some effort into the task, you’re bound to reap the rewards. How do seniors meet new friends? It’s all about finding ways to connect with people who make you happy.
How Do Seniors Meet New Friends?
Are you having trouble making the social connections you want in your golden years? Making friends as a senior may feel like a unique challenge, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve put yourself out there socially. However, you should know that you aren’t alone. Many seniors have trouble finding new social groups and connections as they settle into life post-retirement. The good news is that plenty of seniors are out there looking for friends, just like you are. So, how do seniors meet new friends?
Be Consistent with Your Efforts
It’s nice to think that if you attend a single event, you’ll leave with an address book full of new friends. Unfortunately, that’s usually not the case. If you think about how younger people make friends, you’ll probably see why. Most acquaintances become friends from multiple interactions in the same place, such as school or work. If you want to make friends, you need to find environments where you’re comfortable putting yourself out there regularly:
- Join a class or a social group related to your favorite hobby or an interest you want to explore. It will give you something to discuss with the other people present and a reason to see them again at the next meeting.
- Try something new that helps you positively engage with your community, like volunteering. It feels good to give back, and it is also a great way to meet other people who care!
- If meeting people in person feels intimidating, you can also try online meetup groups and apps. These allow you to connect with people based on your interests, making conversation easier. However, you should be sure to be careful whenever meeting people online.
Be Ready to Share
Once you’ve found a few ways to make new friends, it’s time to start looking for ways to make deeper connections with them. If it’s been a while since you’ve had to make new friends, opening up and sharing things about your life can feel like a vulnerable process. Keeping things to yourself may feel like a way to avoid judgment, but it also prevents you from connecting with the people who will like you exactly as you are. Take a chance on someone, and you might make a new friend.
Nurture Existing Relationships
While making new friends is essential at every stage in life, you don’t want to forget the friends you already have. Learning to nurture existing social connections can help you feel more supported and confident as you work on making new ones. So while you’re lining up new social opportunities, be sure to schedule a catch-up session with an old friend or acquaintance. You never know when a more profound friendship might develop.
Shake It Up
If you try all these things and you’re still feeling socially isolated, it might be time to make a more significant change. Are you stuck in a rut, or does something about your life make it hard to find the people you’re looking for? For example, many seniors who have trouble making friends living independently find a vibrant social network waiting for them in a senior living community. Don’t be afraid to make a change!
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How do seniors meet new friends? By trying new things and putting themselves in environments where they can thrive. If you’re a senior looking for a community, we hope you’ll check out the Gables on Pelham.
Are you planning to retire in Greenville, South Carolina? Be sure to check out The Gables on Pelham, a continuing care retirement community that welcomes seniors from all walks of life. We offer flexible and personalized care, including assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation. You’ll love our cozy accommodations, fun-filled events calendar, and welcoming community atmosphere. To learn more, please schedule a tour or give us a call at 864-713-1377.