Making Friends as an Older Adult
Humans are social careers, and we depend on our relationships with others to stay happy and healthy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, loneliness and social isolation in older adults is a serious public health risk in the United States. Older adults who report feeling lonely saw a significant increase in physical and mental health problems such as depression and dementia.
Unfortunately, it can be hard to maintain relationships and make new friends as we get older, but if you push yourself out of your comfort zone, it is possible to build new friendships as an older adult.
Tips for Making Friends
Making friends is hard in general but building new relationships as an older adult comes with even more challenges. If you’re struggling to find like-minded people outside of your family, consider these options for making new friends.
Join a Club
One of the best ways to meet similar-minded people and potential new friends is to join a club or group dedicated to a hobby or activity you enjoy. If you like reading or knitting, you can join a book club or yarn circle. If you enjoy exercising, link up with a community run or walk club. Whatever interests you have, chances are a group of people who share your hobby and would love to connect. You can find these groups by searching Facebook or through a community center or church.
Get to Know Your Neighbors
If you live in an apartment, condominium, or house and want to build more in-person relationships, getting to know your next-door neighbor is an excellent place to start. Knocking on someone’s door and randomly introducing yourself can feel a little uncomfortable, so a reason or direction for your visit. For example, if you lived in a house and noticed they have a beautiful yard or luscious garden, you can visit them and ask for tips on getting your yard or garden as healthy as theirs. If you live in a city apartment, you can ask if they have recommendations for an excellent place to get coffee or know where the best farmers market is in the area. Opening the conversation with a question can help guide the conversation and share information about themselves.
If you’re not comfortable approaching neighbors you don’t know well, then you can get to know people in your neighborhood by attending neighborhood events. If you live in a community building or apartment, there may be events or meetings open to all tenants so you can meet your neighbors. If you live in a suburban neighborhood, look out for block parties or even yard sales to attend and mingle with your community.
Connect with Past Friends Online
One of the wonderful things about the internet and social media is that it is easier to connect with past friends or out-of-state family. If you’re not already on Facebook, it’s a great social media platform to reconnect with friends and families. Once you’re signed up, use the search bar to look up people you’d like to reach out to and send them a friend request. Once they accept your request, you can send them messages or even video chat with them through the platform. Not sure how to set up a Facebook account and connect with friends and family? Reach out to that tech-savvy person in your life or ask your Visiting Angels caregiver to help you get started.
Adopt a Pet
Friendships don’t have to be limited to other humans. Sometimes the companionship of a pet can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. If you think adopting a pet could be good for you, start by visiting your local animal shelter. You can talk to the staff about your lifestyle and interests at the shelter, and they’ll help match with the right animal.
If you are someone who prefers spending a lot of time at home, reading or watching movies, a cat might be an excellent pet for you. Cats are relatively independent and don’t require much care aside from daily meals and weekly litter box cleanings. If you’re more active and enjoy morning walks around the neighborhood, you may want to consider a dog. While dogs come with more responsibility, they also tend to build stronger bonds with their owners than cats.
How Visiting Angels Can Help
For older adults looking to improve their social and emotional well-being, Visiting Angels Horsham offers companion care. Caregivers who provide companion care focus on building a positive relationship with clients through compassionate conversation and participation in clients’ favorite hobbies and activities. Visiting Angels companion care also includes transportation around town or doctor’s appointments, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and meal preparation.
Our Horsham office serves those in Horsham, Hatboro, Willow Grove, Ambler, Lower Gwynedd, Spring House, and the surrounding areas. If you’d like to learn more about our services, you can call us at 215.938.7202 or complete this online form.