For your loved one, moving into an assisted living community can be a challenging transition. Your loved one may feel isolated and melancholy as a result of the new environment and being surrounded by unfamiliar faces. However, it’s crucial for residents to form new friendships and social connections to remain healthy, both physically and mentally. Therefore, these are some ways to make friends in assisted living:
Attend Initiation Events
Here at Caruth Haven Court, we know that making friends in assisted living can be difficult. As such, we have organized welcoming events at the start of the stay to allow residents to get to know their neighbors and the community better. Such events can seem overwhelming, and your loved one may even feel shy to open up, but they can be a great way to strike up conversations and discover what particular clubs and activities to join.
Join Clubs
From the baking club to walking club, these clubs are a source of support and companionship for residents. Clubs are centered around specific hobbies and interests, providing a perfect opportunity for your loved one to meet like-minded people. While we have leisure groups, we also have support groups that offer solace through tough times, such as living with dementia and losing a spouse. These topics can be sensitive, so it’s important to ensure that your loved one is comfortable speaking about such matters.
Go on Outings
Assisted living communities like Caruth Haven Court regularly arrange outings to bring together residents. Whether it’s night-outs in town or simply heading to the grocery store, outings open a window of opportunity for residents to let loose and be more welcoming towards open conversations. If residents constantly remain in the community at all times and do not mingle around, possibilities for making new friends are minimal to none.
Hang Out in Common Areas
Instead of watching movies or television in their own apartments, your loved one could join with the other residents during our evening movie sessions. Why not participate in our fitness classes rather than exercising or taking walks alone? These are the little things that allow residents to expand their social circle and to fit in with the community. As at the end of the day, you never know whom you might encounter.
Be Open-Minded
Making new friends can be a challenge, especially in a new environment like an assisted living community. While it may seem awkward at the start, it’s completely normal that friendships take time and effort to develop. Therefore, it’s essential for your loved one to keep an open mind and not to rule out any potential friends just because they might have contrasting opinions. It’s also worthy to note that in an assisted living community, everyone comes from various backgrounds.
If you like to know more about Caruth Haven Court, you can schedule a personalized tour of our community by calling 214.308.0083 today. The guided tour comes with complimentary gourmet meals for two.
