The Importance of Friendships as an Older Adult

Relationships are crucial for aging well as an older adult — marriage, children, grandchildren, and family are all important for our social wellness. However, as we grow older, it has been shown that relationships outside of familial connections, like friendships, can fall to the wayside. Social circles naturally shrink as we age due to career responsibilities, family obligations, and differing interests. However, having meaningful friendships as an older adult have been shown to improve quality of life, reduce stress, and increase overall happiness. The importance of friendships as an older adult is important for you overall wellbeing and the key to aging well.

Benefits of Social Connection

Improved Physical Health

Friendships are great sources of encouragement, especially when it comes to making healthier choices in our lives. Whether you’re trying to make healthier diet choices or exercise more, having someone who motivates you is a huge way to incorporate positive decisions into your life. Doing things with friends, like going for a walk or attending a new dance class, is a great way to bond together while improving your physical health. People with friends are more likely to engage in hobbies and things that spark their interest.

People with close friendships have been shown to be more proactive in addressing health issues with a provider. Friends have also been shown to help more when someone is sick — like picking up medications or attending medical appointments.

Improved Mental Wellbeing

Maintaining healthy friendships is imperative for improved mental health. Seniors with close friends are less likely to suffer from depression and isolation and have better ways to manage stress. Friendships can be more pleasant and fun than other relationships — this can be due to less focus on tension or dynamics that might cause us to feel a heightened sense of stress. With genuine friendships, you are more likely to express yourself and spend time with like-minded people. If you’re able to fully feel like yourself around people, your confidence and self-perception will soar.

How to Make Friendships as an Older Adult

As we age, the way we make friends and interact with others naturally transitions. Our social circles evolve from adolescent activities like school and clubs, and career and family responsibilities can make it harder to socialize. But don’t let that stop you from making new connections! Furthermore, making friends shouldn’t stop as we age and there’s always new people to meet, you just need to find out the best way that works for you.

Seek Out Social Interaction

Doing new things like attending community events, joining clubs, or going to a fitness class can be daunting. But putting yourself in a social space with like-minded people is a great stepping stone to forming new friendships. Be more proactive in going to social spaces like coffee shops or farmers markets for new opportunities to meet people. Some other great ways to meet people:

• Join a faith-based group
• Join a local discussion group or book club
• Find a birding or hiking group
• Take art classes like pottery or photography
• Attend local live music events and festivals

Be Open-Minded

The best friendships form in ways you would never expect. Whether you start saying hello to your neighbors or going to a class you never thought you’d try, the opportunities to meet new people are endless. Not only do you gain the confidence in trying something new, but you expose yourself to people from all walks of life. You can find friendships in unlikely places, such as:

• Intergenerational friendships – Joining an all-ages class or hobby is a great way to meet people from different generations. Not only do you get the benefits of friendship, but being around people with different lived experiences and perspectives is beneficial for cognitive health.
• Technology – While it doesn’t replace connecting in-person, technology can be a great tool to meet new people due to transportation or mobility limitations, like virtual groups. Connect with your local senior center for different ways to connect virtually. Libraries and places of worships are also great resources.
• Small actions – Meeting people doesn’t have to be grandiose in action. A simple hello goes a long way! The more you commit to being open and friendly to meeting people, the easier it becomes. Don’t be afraid to compliment someone, strike up a conversation in the grocery line, or ask a neighbor over for a cup of coffee.

Quality Over Quantity

Don’t become discouraged your social circle is small. In fact, the depth of your friendships is much more important than how many you can count on your hands. Prioritize a few close relationships with those who have shared experiences and values. Investing your time and effort into connections like these is worth it in the long run.

Social Connection in Senior Living

Senior living communities, like The Ohio Masonic Communities, are a great way to make social connections and find your sense of community. Being a resident means having access to activities and spaces that promote social wellness. Our communities are committed to helping you thrive, with things like resident-led committees and life enrichment programming. Some highlights on our campuses include:

• Activities like fitness classes, discussion groups, and hobby-focused classes
• Events such as music performances, community events, and happy hours
• Intentionally designed communal spaces to promote connection
• The Ohio Masonic Communities Resource Center to help connect you to local community resources

Ready to find your sense of community? At The Ohio Masonic Communities, our senior living communities help residents thrive and confidently age in place. We offer maintenance-free living and engaging amenities that promote social wellness across our three campuses—Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio.

We are your number one stop for senior living options. Wherever you are in your journey, we’re here to help. Give us a call at (877) 881-1623, contact us, or check out our Here to Help guides for senior living resources.