f you’ve ever watched young children on the playground, you know how effortlessly friendships are formed. A small group might be playing hide-and-seek, and a newcomer dashes over with a breathless, “Can I play?” More often than not, the reply is a resounding, “Yes!” and thus – instant friends.
If only it were that simple as adults! Senior friendships offer a wealth of benefits, and they are especially essential for older adults who have been impacted by COVID-related isolation protocols. So how could you help the older adults you love to increase socialization and also make some new friends? Short of jumping into a pick-up game of tag, try these guidelines:
- Join a club. Brainstorm topics of interest with your family member: knitting, reading, gardening, fishing, sports. Next, search on the internet for groups in your neighborhood that meet up to enjoy those activities together. The neighborhood senior center is likely to be a terrific resource as well. If you cannot find an already-established group, consider starting one of your own!
- Take a class. Community colleges often offer reduced-cost (or no-cost) classes for older adults. Browse through an online listing of classes to find several that trigger the older adult's curiosity and sign up. Don’t forget to check out physical fitness classes too! A range of exercise programs tailored specifically to seniors can be found at the local gym.
- Attend religious services. Many seniors stayed away from religious services during the pandemic. As it becomes safer to venture out, religious organizations are a great option to both build friendships and faith, often offering weekday programs and study groups along with worship services.
- Get involved virtually. There are countless opportunities to meet others remotely – even more so since the pandemic caused us to think outside of the box. From online games to yoga to learning new languages, whatever the interest, there’s likely a virtual version available!
Once participating in new activities such as these, it may still be difficult to understand how to bridge the gap from an acquaintance to a friend. Help the senior keep in mind that most likely, everyone else in the room is experiencing the same self-consciousness and trepidation to varying degrees. With those children from the playground in mind, encourage the senior to make the first move to start a friendly, welcoming conversation. Sometimes all it takes is one person brave enough to start the ball rolling to kick off an enduring friendship!
Our award-winning caregiving companions are excellent friends for seniors too! We very carefully match every person with a caregiver who shares a similar personality type and interests, leading to a fast and strong bond between the two. Call us at 519.915.4370 or contact us online for an in-home consultation for additional information!
