Tips to Make Friends After 60
An 85-year longitudinal study from Harvard University finds that good relationships lead to health and happiness. But as individuals age, it can become increasingly difficult to maintain existing connections and harder still to forge new ones.
After around 60, people may face various life changes that can contribute to feelings of loneliness and difficulty maintaining or forming new social connections. These changes may include retirement, changing interests, leaving behind familiar places and people, and health challenges that make it difficult to go out.
However, while this stage of life can be complicated, forming friendships is not something we should live without. Here are a number of tips for making friends as you age.
How to Make Friends When You Are Older
Join social groups and clubs
Being involved in social groups and clubs is a great way to expand your social circle. Start by exploring local community centres or hobby clubs that align with your passions and abilities, whether it’s book clubs, local art classes, or cooking and crafting workshops. These environments foster natural interactions and provide common ground for conversation, making it easier to connect with others. Further still, try exploring hobbies outside your comfort zone, who knows? You might foster a new passion for something completely new to you!
Volunteer
Volunteering is another great way to make friends as you get older. It allows you to meet people with similar interests while contributing to your community. You can look for volunteering opportunities at schools, hospitals, animal shelters, churches, or community organisations.
Enrol in fitness classes
Exercise classes are a great way to improve your health while also meeting new people. These classes provide a structured environment where participants can meet regularly. This repetition can help you form bonds as you continue to interact with the same group of people over time.
There are numerous fitness classes tailored for older adults, such as water aerobics, yoga, and low-impact dance classes. These options cater to different interests and fitness levels, making it easier to find a suitable class where you feel comfortable.
Use social media
Use social media to reconnect with old friends, colleagues, or acquaintances from your past. Consider reaching out to former classmates, coworkers, or neighbours on platforms like Facebook and looking for opportunities to meet up in real life for coffee or a group event. Shared memories and experiences can serve as a foundation for rekindling old friendships and building new ones.
Additionally, there are numerous social media groups and online communities dedicated to interests such as dogs, singing, and golf, providing platforms for you and other enthusiasts to connect and share passions.
Positive Effects of Having Friends
Improved mental health
Interactions with friends can boost feelings of happiness and decrease isolation, loneliness, and depression, which can be common among seniors.
Decreased risk of dementia
Research indicates that maintaining friendships and social engagement after the age of 60 can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia. A study conducted by researchers from University College London, published in PLOS Medicine, found that individuals who frequently interacted with friends at age 60 had a 12% lower risk of dementia compared to those who had infrequent social contact.
Enhanced physical health
The National Institute on Aging says older adults who are socially active have lower risks of experiencing age-related conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer.
Stronger sense of belonging
Strong ties with friends provide a sense of purpose and belonging, which can be particularly important as family dynamics change with aging. Friendships can fill the emotional gaps left by family members who may be busy with their own lives, offering comfort and companionship that can help enrich life.
As many individuals face increased feelings of isolation in later years, the importance of friendship cannot be overstated. So, get out when you can, explore new avenues, and enjoy the process of meeting new people!
