Moving into a senior living community marks a new beginning of a new chapter of your life. It's an exciting opportunity to connect with like-minded folks and make lifelong friends. Research shows that it takes about 200 hours to make a close friend. Luckily, you have plenty of time in a senior living community to forge long-term friendships.

Here are our favorite tips to help you make great friends in our Brightwater senior living community.

Capitalize on Your Hobbies & Interests

Hobbies and interests allow you to make friends easily in a senior living community. Shared interests build a great foundation and create room for endless conversations. Joining clubs and classes provides ready access to a group of like-minded people. Turning up regularly for classes allows you to build and strengthen the relationship as time passes.

Explore the Common Areas in Your Community

Meeting new people can be challenging if you rarely venture outside your apartment. Most senior living communities have plush common areas that facilitate socializing. Explore the game room, fitness center, outdoor gardens, sit on the patio, or catch your favorite shows in the TV lounge for a chance to interact with other residents. Do some of your favorite activities like knitting, coloring, jigsaw puzzles, or reading in the common areas. They make a great conversation starter, allowing you to connect with nearby people.

Socialize During Mealtimes

Every meal in a senior living community is equivalent to eating out with friends. Use every mealtime to connect with other residents except for the occasional quiet meal in your room. You can invite people to share a specific meal with you or join someone dining alone. Be sure to change tables often to interact with new residents constantly. Mealtimes allow for a casual chat as you get to know your fellow residents.

Build a Strong Social Network

Making friends in a senior living community helps seniors improve their quality of life. It carries various health benefits ranging from lowered susceptibility to diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis to low blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. A robust social network improves mental health and well-being and safeguards against age-related memory loss.

At Brightwater, we help seniors create meaningful social connections and live their best lives. Contact us today to learn more about how we make every day count for our senior residents.