Making New Friends in Retirement
Human beings crave connections. Just like the need for food and water, the need to connect is fundamental, with studies showing social relationships are the catalyst for overall positive mental and physical health. In fact, a Scientific American study shows that those with strong social ties, along with a healthy lifestyle, boost their longevity by 50 percent.
Howard and Jean Bartelt are living proof of the power of social connections a senior living community can provide. “There’s a great atmosphere here,” shared the Bartelts, who now call Springpoint community Crestwood Manor home. “We have good relationships with our gang—we walk together, we eat together. It’s wonderful!”
Springpoint communities offer even more opportunities for you to connect to neighbors who become close friends. To make the most of your retirement years in a Life Plan community (CCRC), here are five ways to reap the benefits making personal connections offers.
Senior Living Activities that Offer Socialization Opportunities
1. Have More Fun with Your Hobby
At a Life Plan community, you won’t have to worry about home maintenance or snow shoveling, giving you more time to dive into your favorite hobbies or perhaps explore new ones.
Whether it’s a desire to pick up the paintbrush, play a game of Scrabble or keep your woodworking skills fresh, it’s always more fun and rewarding when enjoying it with others.
By finding a senior living community that fulfills your hobbies while learning alongside new friends, you can enrich your life beyond your expectations.
2. Get Active
You’ve heard it your whole life, but it’s even more important as you age: exercise does a body good. Not only does it help with things like inflammation, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but exercise also makes us happier and more confident. And when you exercise with others, it not only becomes a necessary routine, but also a much-anticipated ritual.
Our holistic senior wellness program, LivWell, addresses the needs and personal goals of each resident to create a customized activity program that promotes fun and fitness with friends. Whether it’s joining in a water aerobics class in our heated, indoor swimming pools, walking a 5K or learning some new dance steps for your granddaughter’s wedding, we can customize a LivWell program to fulfill your needs.
3. Hit the Road Together
Who doesn’t love a road trip? For Springpoint residents, new experiences abound. Whether through the transportation we offer to close-by venues, including museums and local attractions, or venturing out on your own to destinations like Atlantic City and Long Beach Island, it’s easy to find a reason to take a road trip throughout the East Coast.
4. Share a Meal with Neighbors
You’re easily able to share a meal with neighbors as a resident at a Life Plan community through our dining options – all you have to do is walk out your door and you have an entire community of people surrounding you. Eating with others brings about a sense of calm and belonging to a community.
5. Toast Your New Life
Conversations with good friends are often best enjoyed over a favorite cocktail. Celebrating life with unique twists on the happy hour is something Springpoint communities offer throughout each month’s activities, with music and fun elevating the gatherings.
Find Friendships in Retirement at Springpoint
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the social connection benefits Springpoint offers for seniors. As part of our holistic wellness program, LivWell, we’re happy to help guide you to activities that boost your social wellness. For more information, contact us today.
