Addington Place of Prairie Village Blogs

Seniors Looking for Companionship: How to Build Connection Later in Life

Written by Discovery Senior Living | Dec 8, 2025 5:00:00 AM

Seniors looking for companionship can make friends through their Prairie Village senior living communities. You can foster Prairie Village relationships by participating in group events, including fitness classes and hobbies.

According to the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, one in three adults aged 50 to 80 feels isolated from others. Social isolation and loneliness could increase your risk of health issues like cognitive decline and heart disease. Finding companionship in senior living, on the other hand, could enhance your quality of life during your retirement in Prairie Village, KS.

Fostering friendships after 70, however, can feel challenging. You can make Prairie Village relationships by exploring passions, participating in group exercises, and dining with friends.

What other tips are there for seniors looking for companionship, and what is the importance of socializing for seniors? Read on to find out! 

What Is the Importance of Companionship in Senior Living?

Loneliness and social isolation may increase your risk of mental and physical health issues, including:

  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Cognitive decline
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Obesity
  • A weakened immune system
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Early death

According to Harvard Health Publishing, socializing may improve your memory, thinking, and overall health. It could help reduce your risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia. According to a study of over 66,000 people, those with the highest levels of social connectedness and engagement score highest on cognitive tests.

Engaging with your peers can protect you from loneliness and isolation, which are associated with chronic illness and premature death. This may extend your longevity.

Talking with friends may reduce stress hormones while returning your blood pressure to its baseline. Relieving stress may reduce your risk of heart disease.

Social connection for seniors may improve their emotional, physical, and mental well-being. Socializing could enhance your quality of life and longevity.

Where Do Lonely Seniors Go?

Lonely seniors can make friends through:

  • Community clubs
  • Libraries
  • Fitness classes
  • Places of worship
  • Assisted living communities
  • Support groups

Reach out to members of your community the next time you feel lonely. Consider joining a support group if you recently lost a loved one. Joining a support group could help you:

  • Empathize with others
  • Learn new skills
  • Help others
  • Build emotional resilience
  • Reduce the risk of social isolation and loneliness
  • Feel validated
  • Gain new perspectives
  • Develop practical coping skills
  • Express your thoughts and feelings
  • Reduce stress
  • Promote healthier habits and encourage consistent self-care
  • Identify changes in your mood and behavior
  • Build meaningful connections
  • Foster personal growth and purpose

Tips for Seniors Looking for Companionship

You can prioritize emotional wellness aging by engaging with members of your community. Here are a few effective tips for seniors looking for companionship.

Exercise

Check your senior living community's fitness program for exercise classes. Exercises with friends can make it more enjoyable. They can motivate you to attend classes regularly.

The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two strength training sessions weekly. You can add flexibility and balance activities in between. These exercise classes may include:

  • Walking and hiking groups
  • Swimming and water aerobics
  • HIIT and aerobics classes
  • Tennis and pickleball
  • Body weight exercises
  • Weight lifting
  • Resistance band exercises
  • Pilates
  • Tai chi
  • Yoga

Exercising with friends can help you challenge yourself. Finding exercises you enjoy may encourage you to work out more often. Exercising regularly may reduce your risk of chronic diseases, boost your mood, and extend your longevity.

Events and Activities

You can discover fun new hobbies on your senior living community's events and activities calendar. Attending these activities can help you meet new friends who share your interests.These may include:

  • Arts and crafts (painting, drawing, sculpting, etc.)
  • Birdwatching
  • Gardening
  • Bingo
  • Card games and poker tournaments
  • Music lessons
  • Music, pet, and art therapy
  • Movie nights
  • Book club
  • Mahjong
  • Cooking and baking classes
  • Knitting and crocheting
  • Sewing and quilting

Try learning new skills from other seniors in Prairie Village.Continuous learning can keep your mind sharp.

Dining

Ask new friends to join you for meals through your senior living community's dining programEating together may help:

  • Encourage self-care
  • You forge stronger relationships
  • Reduce loneliness and social isolation
  • Encourage healthier eating decisions
  • Enhance your sense of well-being
  • Encourage you to try new dishes and cuisines
  • Reduce anxiety and depression symptoms
  • Reduce the risk of chronic conditions
  • Improve mobility
  • Increase food security and encourage regular meals

Check your senior living community's events calendar for baking and cooking classes. You can make new dishes alongside friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Is at Risk of Social Isolation or Loneliness?

According to the CDC, lifestyle factors that may increase a person's risk of social isolation and loneliness include:

  • Living in rural areas
  • Having limited access to transportation
  • Facing language barriers
  • Having a chronic condition or disease
  • Struggling with a long-term disability
  • Having a psychiatric or depressive condition
  • Being marginalized or discriminated against
  • Facing a divorce

How Do Seniors Make Lasting Friendships?

Seniors can make friends by:

  • Find people who share their interests
  • Engaging with members of their community
  • Being proactive

Find people who share your interests by exploring your senior living community's events and activities calendar. Consider joining a club that meets regularly. You can also take classes or workshops.

Otherwise, consider volunteering. You can help at a food bank, library, or animal shelter.

To make friendships after 70, look for events at your Prairie Village library or senior center.Try to become a regular.

Be proactive by sparking conversations. Ask questions, listen, and share your thoughts.

Try to be bold. Invite friends over for coffee or meals. Keep engaging to turn these relationships into lasting friendships.  

Start Building Prairie Village Relationships

Seniors looking for companionship can discover new friends at their senior living community. Forging meaningful relationships could extend your lifespan and improve your quality of life.

Look no further than Addington Place of Prairie Village, where we offer easy, stress-free living and a higher standard of care. As a member of the Discovery Senior Living family, we proudly rank number one in Customer Satisfaction Among Assisted Living & Memory Care Communities in the JD Power 2025 US Senior Living Satisfaction Study.

Discover our exclusive lifestyle programs, including engaging activities like educational courses, fitness classes like yoga, and chef-prepared meals. Contact us now to schedule your tour.