As a child, it seems like all it took to make a new friend was a shared interest in the same cartoon. Older adults often find themselves struggling to establish new social contacts, however. Seniors lack practice when it comes to making connections and may be shy about pursuing new friendships. Maybe their partner recently passed—or perhaps they’ve moved to an assisted living facility where they don’t know anybody. Encourage your elderly loved ones to get social with these tips.

5 Ways Seniors Can Make Friends

1. Pursue a Hobby

Whether it’s crafting, photography, or reading, if your loved one has a hobby, encourage them to pursue it in a more formal setting. Maybe that means taking a class—or perhaps it could simply involve joining a local club. Connecting with others is easier if they already have a shared passion.

2. Try Social Media

Seniors can use Facebook to connect with forgotten friends from the past. This is also a good forum for finding local events in the community—or simply keeping in touch with grandkids. If they don’t have an account yet, help them get started.

3. Join an Exercise Course

Many fitness, assisted living, and community centers provide senior-friendly courses, from yoga to water aerobics. This is a fantastic way to stay physically active while also meeting new people. After seeing the same faces in class week after week, it gets easier to strike up a conversation.

4. Check Out Community Events

Churches, libraries, assisted living facilities—look around your community for events, groups, and social services geared towards seniors. For instance, some nursing homes open their doors to non-residents for special events or holidays.

5. Learn to Say Yes

Encourage your loved one to say yes to any invitation they get. Even if they don’t think it’s going to be an amazing time, they can’t know who they might meet. Sometimes, it’s simply about putting yourself out there.

Deer Valley Home Health Services provides assisted living and home health care services to the communities of Berkeley, St. Charles, and St. Louis, MO. Since first opening their doors ten years ago, they have been helping seniors thrive and enjoy their golden years to the fullest. You can find out more about their services online. To schedule an informational visit for yourself or a loved one, call (314) 355-3679 (Berkeley), (636) 493-6488 (St. Charles) or (314) 773-4433 (St. Louis).