Making friends as you get older may become more challenging. After retirement, you often interact with fewer people. Changes in your physical condition and mobility might limit the activities you're able to do regularly. However, having supportive people in your life and remaining social is important for your well-being. Intentional efforts to make new acquaintances help you grow your support group and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Assisted living communities under the Bethesda Senior Living Communities umbrella provide a welcoming place for you to call home. They're also an ideal place to make new friends in your retirement years. In our communities, you're surrounded by other older adults who are also experiencing changes in their lives. Living in the same community results in shared experiences that help you bond with your neighbors.
The staff members also develop varied activity calendars to keep you engaged. Joining in those activities allows you to meet other people and have fun together, which could develop into friendships. The community dining rooms also provide an easy way to talk with fellow residents and find connections.
Participating in an interest-based group is often an effective way to develop friendships. Examples include clubs or groups based around books, exercise, games or social causes. Social groups and clubs are also an option. Local senior centers and senior living communities often organize groups, or you can create a group yourself and advertise it to meet new people who share your views and interests.
Taking a class lets you learn something new while meeting new people. Classes typically meet multiple times over the course of weeks or months, which allows for repeated interactions with your classmates. Senior-specific classes connect you with other older adults who may have similar friendship goals. Many colleges and universities allow seniors to take classes tuition-free or for a small fee. You can also find classes through several other sources, including:
Hobbies sometimes get forgotten as you get older. Revisiting your previous hobbies or spending more time on current interests could help you meet other people. Find ways to make your hobbies as social as possible to expand your network. Here are some examples:
Keeping your body moving benefits you physically and mentally, but you can also make your workouts social to expand your circle. Many assisted living communities under the Bethesda Senior Living Communities umbrella offer fitness programs where you can exercise with your fellow residents. It's a healthy way to meet neighbors you haven't seen before.
You can find exercise programs outside the community. Many gyms offer exercise classes with a senior focus. Check with your city's recreation department or local senior centers to see if they offer senior workout classes. Some areas have walking clubs for different ages or fitness levels, or you could join a league for a particular sport, such as pickleball.
Every community offers numerous volunteer opportunities through local nonprofit organizations and churches. With so many different opportunities, volunteering allows you to find a cause that's important to you. Many organizations have multiple ways you can help, which makes it easier to find an activity you enjoy and are physically able to perform.
Even if you don't know anyone else at the organization initially, you still benefit from the experience because you're helping the community. The longer you volunteer, the more people you meet, whether that's other volunteers, community members or people served by the organization. All these connections could become blossoming friendships.
Spiritual activities strengthen your faith and help you meet other people who are on a walk with God. Finding a church where you feel welcome and want to participate gives you a good starting point. Houses of worship often organize multiple groups and activities, providing a way for all parishioners to get involved. This might include mission trips, prayer circles, Bible study groups or support groups.
If you find it challenging to meet new people, consider reaching out to individuals you already know. You might call an old friend you haven't talked to in years to see if you still have anything in common.
