3 Ways To Make Friends In A Retirement Home

When you make the decision to move into a retirement home, you may be worried about how you'll make friends and how your social life may change. Leaving friends behind and saying goodbye to the clubs and activities you enjoy is no easy task, but it can be helpful to remember that others moving into the retirement home will be feeling the same. Here are three ways to make friends when you move to a retirement home:

Join A Club

Your retirement home will have a number of clubs running to keep residents active and provide the opportunity to continue learning new skills. When you move in, ask for their weekly activity schedule and get involved in what's going on. You may find there's an art club, film club or book club running each week, and even if you haven't been involved in any clubs before, take a leap of faith and give them a try. They are a great way to get to know other residents, and there's usually the chance to have a chat over a cup of tea at the end of the club. 

Start A Group

If you have an activity you enjoy and used to share with others, don't feel you have to give it up. You could start an informal social group by putting up a few posters around the retirement home or asking the staff to make other residents aware of when and where to meet. For example, if you enjoy knitting and used to meet with friends to knit and have a chat each week, you will likely find there are others in the retirement home that also enjoy knitting and would like to get together with people who have similar interests. You could come together in a communal living area or ask to use one of the retirement home's activity rooms.

Invite Another New Resident For Coffee

Being the new person in any situation is difficult, but you likely won't be the only new person trying to settle in. Consider introducing yourself to another new resident and ask them if they would like to get together for a coffee and chat about how they're finding the transition to retirement living. They will likely appreciate you taking the time to talk, and you may find you have more in common than where you live.

These are just a few ways you can make new friends when you move into a retirement home. In some ways making friends may be easier, due to the number of residents sharing the home. However, if you're having trouble settling in and struggling with feelings of loneliness, don't keep them to yourself. Tell staff how you're feeling and they can support you to make some new social connections.


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