Relocating your aging loved one to an assisted living community can be a difficult transition for them. Even when they fully support the decision to move, they may still encounter some challenges in their journey. One of the challenges seniors often face when moving into an assisted living community is socializing with fellow seniors and getting comfortable in their new homes.
As established, moving can be an overwhelming experience, and seniors often deal with it by withdrawing and avoiding social activities and interaction with other people. It may take time for your aging loved ones to adjust, but there are ways you can encourage them to socialize and make friends. Read on to learn how assisted living in Snellville, NC motivates seniors to socialize:
Engaging Social Activities
A senior assisted living program is an excellent choice for people with medical conditions that require extra support and care. Not only do they provide medical care and attention, but they also help seniors live a relaxed life with enough time to bond with friends and family. There are events and activities put in place to ensure seniors are comfortable, mentally sharp, and active regardless of their health condition.
Those activities are designed with the senior’s health condition in mind and they may include meditation, cooking, baking, dog walking, hiking, gardening, fishing, and more. Asides from the active lifestyle seniors enjoy from engaging in these activities, they also get to engage in friendly competitions, socialize and make new lifelong friends with people of common interests.
Encouraging Your Aging Loved one to Develop Friendships
While there are several programs in assisted living communities to keep their residents engaged and enable them to socialize, seniors need to have a positive mindset toward creating relationships with new people and trying new activities. Understandably, it is not always easy to open up to people and make friends in a new environment; however, you can encourage your loved one by suggesting ways to develop friendships:
- Encourage your aging loved ones to introduce themself first and start a conversation: Being the first to start a conversation works well to overcome anxiousness when talking to people. To make it easier for them, you can join them to approach people and exchange introductions on their moving day.
- Encourage your loved one to leave their apartment room and engage with people: When seniors withdraw, they find comfort in their new apartment and hardly leave unless necessary. Thus, you can encourage them to spend time with people. Staying in common areas like the garden, dining, library, television room, or fitness center to participate in activities they enjoy allows them to meet people of like interests and socialize with them.
Socializing in Our Retirement Community at Discovery Village At Sugarloaf
It can be difficult for older people to meet new people and create friendships. This often causes feelings of loneliness for them and affects their mental and emotional well-being. Therefore, if you need a community that encourages them to socialize with people and make life-long friends, and also monitor their health conditions, our retirement community is the best for you. We also offer housekeeping and maintenance services that enable our residents to have enough time to socialize. Contact us today!
