Friendships in Senior Living
Moving to a senior living community can be difficult, even if it was your decision and you were looking forward to it. After the initial rush of moving, unpacking, and creating a homey space has subsided, you may look around your apartment and suddenly feel overcome by loneliness. It’s OK. It’s a natural reaction. Unless you already have friends or family living on the same campus, you’re at square one. How do you connect with your neighbors and make friends?
Making the move to a senior living community can be a big adjustment, even when it’s a choice you’re excited about. After the initial bustle of moving in, unpacking, and making your new space feel like home, it’s completely natural to pause and wonder what comes next. The good news is that these feelings are normal—and they’re only temporary. You’re stepping into a community filled with opportunities to build meaningful connections. With a little openness and curiosity, you’ll soon discover friendly neighbors, shared interests, and new friendships waiting just beyond your doorstep.
Making friends can feel especially natural when you’re younger because you’re surrounded by built-in opportunities—neighbors, classmates, coworkers, gym buddies, or fellow church members. As life unfolds, friendships evolve right along with it. Milestones like graduating, moving, changing careers, or starting a family often open the door to new connections. First-time parents may bond through support groups, hobbies can lead to meeting people who share your interests, and relocations often introduce you to entirely new social circles.
Moving to a senior community follows that same familiar pattern. The opportunities for friendship are already there—you simply have to reach out and connect. Many senior communities make this transition even easier by having staff introduce new residents to their neighbors or pairing them with a friendly “buddy” who helps them feel welcome and at home from day one.
A main benefit of living in a senior community is that there are many opportunities to meet new people and make friends. The easiest way is to get involved in activities and events.
Here are some ideas:
Dining
Walking into the dining room for the first time can feel like a big moment, but it’s also one filled with opportunity. You’ll see tables of residents enjoying conversations and shared meals, and more often than not, they’re happy to welcome someone new. Take that chance to join them—it’s a wonderful way to introduce yourself and start getting to know your neighbors.
As you settle in and feel more at ease, you’ll naturally find yourself dining with different residents and building new connections. Simply follow the community’s dining customs, and before long, the dining room will feel like one of the most comfortable and enjoyable parts of your day.
Volunteer
Many senior communities get involved in volunteer activities, especially during the holiday season. Help organize a food drive, or, if you’re crafty, join an in-house group that knits caps, throws, and other items for babies spending Christmas in the NICU or for cancer patients. Contribute to a bake sale. You can also volunteer for outside activities, such as registering people to vote.
Use Common Areas to Connect
Spending time in the lobby, library, fitness center, or other shared spaces offers plenty of chances to connect. A simple “hello” can go a long way in starting a friendly exchange. While it may feel a little awkward at first, most people appreciate a warm greeting and are happy to respond.
And if someone doesn’t engage, that’s perfectly okay—keep being yourself. Your friendliness sets a positive tone, and over time, those small moments of connection can grow into meaningful relationships.
Accept Invitations
Even on days when you’re not especially in the mood to go out, joining a group for dinner or a social event can be a pleasant surprise. Stepping out for a short while often leads to laughter, good conversation, and shared experiences.
Find Your Community at Kingsbury
In a senior community, connection is all around you, making it easy to feel supported and engaged. By staying open to new people and experiences, you’ll find countless opportunities to build friendships, share moments, and enjoy a strong sense of belonging. One of the benefits of living in a senior community like Kingsbury is that we offer ample opportunities for residents to connect through planned activities and events. Kingsbury has a selection of floor plans for independent living/villas, assisted living, and memory care, and residents can’t get enough of our first-class amenities. Our communities were built by Ohioans for Ohioans, and at Kingsbury, we treat all residents like royalty. Use our Scheduling Assistant below or contact Kingsbury to learn more about our Ohio communities.