When you or a loved one relocate to senior living, you have a lot to consider. From choosing the right community to downsizing to planning the move—transitioning into senior living involves a lot of decision making.
One thing you may not contemplate until the move is over is how to make friends in senior living. Social bonds are so important, especially as we age! We created this article to help you explore ways to make friends in senior living.
5 surefire ways to make new friends in senior living
Get involved
If you recently relocated from home to The Birches for assisted living, it’s normal to undergo a period of adjustment.
Maybe you supported a senior loved one’s transition into The Birches’ memory care community and want to make sure they’re settling in and enjoying their new life.
No matter what brought you to our senior living community, we want you to feel valued and at home here.
Humans are social animals, but we’re also creatures of habit. It’s important to establish new routines and embrace the fresh opportunities senior living affords.
One way to accomplish this and make friends in senior living in the process is to get involved in the many activities and programs offered at The Birches!
We take pride in our wealth of community offerings, geared toward the preferences and lifestyle needs of our assisted living and memory care community residents.
At The Birches, our purposeful programming initiatives support the holistic health and well-being of all our residents. They also encourage social connection.
Check out our activities calendar to plan or ask a team member for guidance. We can help you select enjoyable, engaging programs for yourself or a loved one.
A great way to establish friendships is through shared connections. Our robust and lively activities, events, and programs allow you to bond with like-minded folks who share your interests. That’s the perfect foundation for a lasting friendship!
Ask for assistance
You’re never alone when you call The Birches home! Our friendly, caring staff are always available to support and empower our residents to enjoy life in security and ease.
We can also help you participate in preferred activities and facilitate friendships with other residents who share similar backgrounds and interests.
Whether you’re a resident or the loved one of a resident, our team will be happy to support you to form social bonds, discover new hobbies, and take full advantage of our robust community life.
We want all our residents to live their best lives. As a Montessori Inspired Lifestyle credentialed community, The Birches is deeply committed to providing our community members with everything needed to enjoy a life full of personal choices and plentiful opportunities.
Speaking of personalized assistance—read our recent article to learn about a day in the life of a Birches memory care resident.
Break bread
Mealtimes at The Birches are a perfect occasion to nurture both body and spirit.
Strike up a lively conversation with your tablemates over a delicious dinner, lovingly prepared by our Executive Chef. Friendships are formed over food and we make mealtimes a pleasure in our senior living community!
You can even help us plan the menu! At The Birches, we always base our menus on our residents’ preferences and desires, meaning you and your friends have full control over what we serve.
Join our Culinary Dining Commitee to help your fellow Birches residents direct our upcoming culinary offerings.
Both our assisted living and memory care community residents savor nourishing and delicious restaurant-style meals in our lovely dining rooms. Our helpful staff are always nearby to offer assistance and support as needed, to ensure mealtimes are a joy for all.
At The Birches, our mealtimes are made for you, and they’re a perfect way to make friends in senior living!
Take a stroll
Simply walking around your new community can be a great way to not only get some exercise and acclimate to your surroundings, but a chance to make new friends.
Both our residents and staff are friendly and welcoming. Our smiles are warm invitations to share a greeting or even a chat.
Many of our residents enjoy being out and about, so you’ll never want for chances to interact when you explore our community and grounds.
Our enchanting senior living community campus is nestled on two scenic acres of land in beautiful Clarendon Hills, IL. Our thoughtful interior and exterior design include many wonderful places to enjoy and explore in safety and security.
You may connect with a fellow resident who will become your new walking buddy. Or maybe you’ll meet a friend who enjoys sitting and chatting in one of our many lovely indoor and outdoor common areas.
Find common ground
At The Birches, we want you to spend your days exactly as you like. We also encourage you to get out and about, as there’s much to explore outside of the privacy of your apartment.
Both our assisted living and our memory care communities are thoughtfully designed to empower the lifestyle preferences and needs of all who reside here.
With an array of conveniently located common areas, as well as cozy communal nooks, you’ll always find places to make new friends in senior living when you call The Birches home.
Our engaging programs and events offer wonderful opportunities to form new social connections, while also nurturing your mind, body, and spirit.
From art and fitness classes to game nights and happy hours—you’ll find much to savor when you choose The Birches for your senior living needs!
We also offer engaging programming like Music & Memory, Meaningful Moments, and even TED Talks!
Our programs, outings, and events offer many chances to come together as a community, while empowering your holistic health and well-being as a valued resident of The Birches.
Important takeaways
The Birches is here to support you in all ways!
Our Successful Aging approach means we support and uplift all our residents to live their best lives. We’re honored to help our community members make friends in senior living, because we know how important this is for overall quality of life.
Some seniors hold on to the idea that aging in place at home is the only path to contentment, only to find they’re much happier after transitioning into assisted living or memory care.
Many older adults feel isolated in their own homes, lacking the social stimulation and community engagement they once enjoyed. The results of social isolation can not only lead to a lower quality of life, but can also contribute to physical issues.
The truth is, the majority of seniors report their quality of life noticeably improves after transitioning into assisted living. Many say they only wish they had made the change sooner.
Transitioning into senior living is a wise investment in both your happiness and your health!
Download your copy of our Successful Transitions to Senior Living guide to gain even more insight about your move into senior living. Contact us to learn more about how The Birches’ comprehensive, personalized approach to wellness helps all our residents thrive.
