5 Ways to Make Friends as Older Adults

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, for in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”

– Khalil Gibran

It’s true; friendship is one of the most healing parts of being alive! As we grow older and our lives change, it can feel more difficult to maintain and create friendships. However, connection is such a vital part of staying happy and healthy.

Among the benefits of social connection include:

• Better mood
• Greater feeling of purpose
• More energy
• Increased positive thinking
• Less risk of depression or senior isolation

How can we create and maintain friendships as we grow older? In this edition of the True Blue blog, we’re going to take a look at just that!

Join a Book Club!

Do you love to read? Joining a local book club is a great way for people of all ages to connect over a love of reading! This gives you the opportunity to socialize, do something intellectually stimulating, and enjoy meeting and getting to know a new group of people.

Find a Local Senior Center

In many cities or towns across the country, you can find senior centers. At senior centers, you gain access to lots of group activities and events. Many senior centers offer classes, giving you the ability to expand your education while meeting new friends; double win!

Consider Senior Living Communities

Community living environments, like the Blue Harbor Senior Living communities, give a fantastic, built-in opportunity to forge new friendships. At Blue Harbor, for example, every day is full of wonderful activities and opportunities to get social and creative! Residents bond over shared interests and experiences; the perfect environment for meeting new and lasting friends!

Reach Out to Others

Friendship is all about reciprocation and generosity. In order to have friends, we also need to be willing to support and get to know others. Open your heart and share yourself. Find ways to support others in your community, listen to those who you meet, and really get to know the people around you. This way, you’ll have friends and neighbors everywhere you go!

Start a New Hobby

Starting a new hobby is a fabulous way to make new friends at any age! Have you ever wanted to learn how to paint, draw, or sew? Go online or look at your local newspaper; you’re sure to find local clubs or communities supporting the types of activities you’re interested in. Bonding over shared interests is a sure way to make new and lasting friendships! Meetup.com is also a great resource for finding likeminded groups of individuals!

Bringing it All Together

No matter what stage of life you’re in, building friendships takes time and effort, but is more than worth it! The more connected we feel to the outside world, we experience more positivity and happiness in life. Put yourself out there, take a few risks, and get ready to mingle with those who matter most: your true friends!

For more examples of the types of activities that happen at Blue Harbor, be sure to follow us on Facebook, too! Happy mingling!