No matter what age we are, connecting with others is a vital part of our health and happiness. It supports both mental and physical well-being, helps establish new routines, and ultimately elevates our overall quality of life.
As we get older—retire, move, and watch our family members set off on their own exciting adventures—these kinds of connections may become more difficult to make or maintain. However, with the right approach you can easily unlock plenty of opportunities to interact and engage with other people. To help, we’ve put together this list of six ways seniors can connect with their community, making new friends and fun memories along the way.
Download The Complete Guide to Senior Health and Wellness
As people grow older, their health and wellness needs change. Read our eBook, "The Complete Guide to Health & Wellness for Seniors" for everything you need to know about staying healthy and happy as we age.
Download the GuideParticipate in Social Dining Experiences
Whether it’s with a regular gathering of friends or restaurant-style dining in an elevated senior living community, eating with other people is the perfect way to foster relationships, develop bonds, and make meals more delightful.
If you routinely have meals as a group, it also helps create a sense of belonging and camaraderie. That’s your special time to eat a healthy meal, catch up, swap stories, and get a dose of that best of medicines—laughter.
Learn more about how social dining helps develop connections.
Try Group Exercise or Sports Programs
Group exercise and sports have many incredible and unexpected health benefits for seniors. It helps manage chronic diseases, contributes to preventing functional decline, and encourages memory recall.
An added benefit is that while you’re working on your health, you’re also developing and strengthening social bonds. The shared task of completing the workout or match creates opportunities for encouragement and emotional support. Whether it’s the thrill of a pickleball game or the meditative moves of tai chi, staying fit with others can help keep you both motivated and feeling connected.
Learn more about the benefits of group fitness programs.
Take On New Hobbies
Many people try out new hobbies for a chance at self-expression and flexing their creative muscles, but it can also be a great way to meet new people.
Even hobbies that traditionally seem best suited for one person have plenty of groups and community events where you can meet others who enjoy the same activities. Joining a quilting group, for example, gives you an opportunity to learn from others and share your own tips or tricks all while delighting in creating what speaks to you. You could also attend a scrapbooking event, discovering new themes and design ideas while sharing each other’s cherished memories. There are also movie and book clubs you could join, allowing you to delve into new stories with others. No matter what hobby you take up, there are others out there who are just as excited about it as you.
Learn more about fun crafts for seniors.
Look for Volunteer Opportunities
Giving back to your community is rewarding in itself, but as a senior it’s also a great way to create connections with people of all generations.
Mentoring is a great way to connect with others while also enjoying physical and mental benefits. Also known as intergenerational programming, mentorship programs give you a chance to share your skills and wisdom with younger generations. In fact, many mentors find they also learn from their mentee, whether it’s new perspectives or a different way to do the same task. If you’re not quite sure where to start, VolunteerMatch is a great site to help you find these incredible opportunities.
Learn more about the value of intergenerational programming.
Take Classes in Person or Online
Studies show that lifelong learning is incredibly important for seniors. It has been found to boost mental stimulation and cognitive health as well as confidence.
While learning is a large part of that, social interaction also plays a major role. When taking classes, you get a chance to interact with people who share similar interests, exchanging ideas and encouraging each other through the course. The great thing is, you don’t have to lose that with an online course. Many of them now offer learning through video chat platforms, giving you a chance to create these connections from the comfort of your home.
Learn more about fun classes for seniors.
Travel with a Tour Group
Retirement is a wonderful time to take up travel, discover new destinations, and create lasting memories in the places you have always dreamed of.
Traveling is also a great way to connect with others, make new friends, and savor shared experiences along the way. Inviting your friends to join your adventures can help you maintain and grow those relationships, but if they can’t come, there are always new connections to be made. There are plenty of organizations that help put together travel groups of like-minded people. Road Scholar, for example, is a not-for-profit organization that offers educational travel experiences focused specifically on people over 50 years old.
Learn more about traveling as a senior.
Make Connections That Matter with Senior Lifestyle
At Senior Lifestyle, we believe that creating connections is an important element of a fulfilling lifestyle. That’s why we continuously plan and organize a variety of social opportunities and events for our residents. From live entertainment to social clubs, these programs enable our community members to join in society, share their interests, and build relationships.
Discover how Senior Lifestyle can help you or your loved ones continue to develop connections. Whether you’re looking for Independent Living, Assisted Living, or personalized Memory Care in our Embrace Neighborhoods, we’re here to support your journey.
Find out more about Senior Lifestyle or schedule a visit today!