Sometimes, Seniors at Assisted Living Suddenly Start Making More Friends

July 28, 2020 by ·

One of the greatest fears some seniors have as they get older is being alone. They may have lost a spouse recently, look to the future, and think they just won’t be able to spend time with friends or family. Assisted living can often be a suggestion from adult children and others, but they might have certain misconceptions about this type of long-term care. 

One worry some seniors have is still feeling isolated and alone, even if they choose assisted living for their future. They may be shy, withdrawn, and have difficulty making friends. 

That is certainly understandable. A lot of adults deal with the same anxieties. However, a high quality assisted living facility is going to have quite a bit of experience helping residents discover various activities and meet their peers. 

 

Getting out of their room is the key.

Assisted Living Fairhope, AL: Seniors Making Friends

A person who spends most their time in a small room with the door closed is going to have a difficult time making friends. They won’t be able to meet new people. So, getting out and walking around is one of the first keys to making friends. 

It doesn’t matter how shy a person is; all they need to do is begin walking around. Keep in mind that other seniors at this assisted living facility are probably in the same situation. Understanding breeds familiarity. 

That means when a person is surrounded by peers their own age who are dealing with the same struggles and worries in life are going to have more common ground. It’s common ground that strikes up conversations. 

So, taking those first important steps outside the room is one of the best ways to begin connecting with others. 

 

Take advantage of the dining facilities. 

A better assisted living facility will have a restaurant style eatery rather than a cafeteria. But in either case, going down to eat a meals is a great way to meet other residents. 

Longer-term residents, especially those who are kind and compassionate, will be looking for those new seniors who might be sitting alone. They will probably try to strike up conversations. 

Most of us have a tendency to carry on conversations around a meal. What better way to get to know somebody than sharing a meal, sometimes referred to as “breaking bread together”? 

It’s often quite interesting when families realize their aging matriarch or patriarch — who was so lonely and isolated at home, shy and withdrawn — is suddenly carrying on conversations and greeting just about everyone they see when family comes to visit at that assisted living community. 

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living near Fairhope, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017. 

Filed Under: Assisted Living Fairhope AL, Seniors Making Friends · Tagged: ,
About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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