The Role of Friendship in Senior Living Communities

According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging, 34% of seniors reported feeling isolated from other people.

Since this is over one in every three people between ages 50-80, nurturing senior social connections is more important than ever.

Here, we'll discuss the important role of friendship in senior living communities. Read on to learn why friendship is important to older adults and how a great community can help them make lasting friendships with other residents.

Why Is Friendship Important for Seniors?

Friendship is important to seniors for all the same reasons it's special to young adults. 61% of Americans say close friendships are essential for maintaining a good quality of life. This is significantly higher than the 23% who said marriage was!

Friends provide emotional support during both good times and bad. This safe space is a comfort to anyone going through a major life change, such as moving to a new home in an assisted living community.

The support that friendship provides also boosts self-esteem. This is because people who have strong connections with others feel a sense of belonging. Social networks provide validation and support.

A study in the American Journal of Psychiatry also found that those with close friendships are less likely to contend with depression. This is especially important in at-risk groups like older adults.

Stress decreases because of these friendships since talking with friends decreases blood pressure reactivity. This can stave off the anxiety that frequently comes with old age and combat common senior health issues like hypertension.

Staving Off Loneliness in Senior Living Communities

Seniors are at a higher risk of loneliness than their younger counterparts. Reasons for this include:

Loved ones passing away
The lack of mobility that comes with having no driver's license
Challenges leaving the home to meet with friends because of inaccessible public transit
Hearing and vision loss make communicating difficult
The higher likelihood of disability and memory loss

Senior living communities work to mitigate these risks. They make it easy for seniors to meet up and engage with friends. After all, when everyone lives within community walls, it's easier to convene with friends in well-appointed community spaces.

These amenities are diverse and include things like:

Game rooms
TV lounges
Restaurant-style dining areas
Fitness centers
Outdoor relaxation areas
Landscaped courtyards and gardens

Residents can make different plans with friends each day. This gives them something to look forward to and offers a diverse array of activities. Variety doesn't just make daily life more exciting - it also lets friends connect in a myriad of different ways.

Health Benefits

Research published by the AMA notes that lonely seniors aren't just at a higher risk of mental health issues. Studies show that they also:

Are 50% more likely to get neurocognitive disorders like dementia
Have a 29% higher chance of contending with heart disease
Are at a 32% greater risk for strokes

Connecting with friends doesn't just enrich seniors' daily lives. It may also prolong their lives by decreasing the risk of serious physical health issues.

Elderly Community Engagement: Forging Lifelong Friendships

Assisted living communities go beyond simply having the amenities to foster nurturing friendships. Building relationships in senior living is also easier because of the diverse calendar activities and events available.

The best senior living community in Independence, IA, offers events like:

Educational classes from guest lecturers
Professionally-led crafting workshops
Crochet and knitting meetups
Drawing and painting for art therapy and expression
Book clubs for intellectual stimulation
Yoga and meditation classes to enhance relaxation
Dance troupes
Fitness and wellness meet-ups and classes
Baking and cooking classes
Movie nights in common areas
Board and card game nights

This diverse array of options means that seniors can choose the events that align with their interests. Engagement is higher because residents are more excited to attend workshops and meetings they find rousing.

Assisted living friendships are also made easier because of all these activity options. Seniors who choose to attend the same event or activity already have an interest in what they're doing.

This lets residents meet others who share their interests and get the ball rolling on a stronger connection!

Since new friends will already have things in common, breaking the ice and talking about deeper subjects will be a breeze.

Fostering Senior Social Connections in Residential Communities

Nurturing friendships in senior living communities is simple because of the community amenities where residents can meet up. However, older adults also need to put in the work to create lasting friendships.

Luckily, this is easier than it sounds! Spending time together is a great place to start. New friends getting to know each other can:

Share a meal
Watch a favorite show together
Play board and card games
Spend time outdoors getting fresh air and sunlight
Interact with each other's furry friends in a pet-friendly community

As the friendship grows, seniors can make each other feel valued by expressing gratitude. Being a good listener and remaining judgment-free is essential for a lasting friendship. Appreciating friends in multiple different ways is key to strong senior social connections.

Deepening and strengthening connections is easier when people:

Extend invitations to do daily activities together
Have deep conversations about their beliefs
Open up to talk about thoughts and emotions
Share harmless secrets and inside jokes
Discuss life problems and work through them together
Create new memories together
Reflect on old times and experience shared nostalgia
Respect boundaries and resolve misunderstandings quickly

Residents in senior living communities only need to step outside their apartment door to see friends and nurture connections. It's easier to connect than ever before!

Unlock Social Benefits for Seniors in Independence, IA

Now that you know why friendship is important in senior living communities, it's time to learn more.

Prairie Hills Independence Assisted Living and Memory Care is committed to offering a nurturing environment where seniors can develop strong social connections. Our activities and events make it easy to meet those with similar interests.

We offer the best services and amenities for seniors in Iowa assisted living, so contact us to schedule a tour and learn more about them.