Because humans are social creatures, we need to interact with other people to be happy.  The trouble is, when you get older it can get harder to find some companionship and you may find that you become more isolated and lonely. But just because you are getting older, that doesn’t mean that you have to stop being social. There are plenty of things that you can do to get out there and make friends as a senior, and some of them are easier than you would think.

1. Make friends with your neighbours

Getting to know your neighbours can be a great way to be more social. It is easy to get to know your neighbours, because you know exactly where they live and you won’t have trouble finding them when you need someone to chat to. Even if you don’t strike up a powerful bond, it’s always a good idea to be friendly to your neighbours, because they are people that are close by that you can turn to at a moment’s notice. Best of all, they will be able to keep you up to date on community issues, so that you know exactly what is going on where you live at all times.

2. Join a club

One of the easiest ways to create connections with people is to find people who share common interests. For example, if you both share a similar hobby you like the same actors from a movie, you will have something to talk about. If you want to meet other like-minded individuals, you should join a club. In case you hadn’t considered joining a club, you may be surprised by how many senior clubs you will find covering a wide range of activities. From book or film clubs to bowling, knitting, or just about any other activity you’re passionate about, you will be sure to find a club in your area if you contact your local community group or people you know in the area. The best thing about joining a club is that you get to meet multiple people at a time so you can make a lot of friends from one club.

3. Start exercising

Regular physical activity is good for your body as well as your mind because it makes you feel really good. It’s also a great way to connect with new people who are of a similar age, ability and mindset to you. These days, many gyms have classes aimed at seniors, so that you don’t feel pressured to keep up with people who are more able-bodied than you are. If you’re not a fan of the gym, then you should try and start a walking group with people that you know in the area who are around the same age as you. This way, you can get fit and be social at the same time, so it is a win-win for everyone involved.

4. Find Friends At Church

If you like going to the church regularly, you should take the opportunity to meet some like-minded individuals next time you go, because church is a great place to meet people. Everyone who is at the church has something in common with you since they too have a similar faith and a common interest. Most churches will have a congregation of people who will be glad to welcome you as a member, and many of them should be around your age group. Even if you are living in aged care like the residents at Banfields Aged Care, you should have access to a chapel or church with other people who live nearby, so you can make friends with other people who are interested in religion. Even if you haven’t been going to the church for a while, this could be an opportunity to rekindle your faith along with your sense of companionship.

All things considered, getting social can be difficult and it certainly doesn’t get easier as you age. However, there’s a simple trick that will help you achieve this. It’s all about connecting with people in your age group who have some common interests. When you start looking in the right places, you may find there are actually various interesting people around that will spark your enthusiasm. If you start to make friends in your area that are your age, you will feel much better about yourself and you can start to live life to the fullest.