How Residents Build Connection in Assisted Living in New Albany, Indiana

Written By: Discovery Senior Living
How Residents Build Connection in Assisted Living in New Albany, Indiana

Assisted living in New Albany, Indiana, can offer opportunities for connection and lasting friendships. Maintaining a strong social life in senior living can enhance your mental, physical, and emotional health. 

According to five years of poll data conducted by the Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation, about 34% of adults aged 50 to 80 feel isolated from others. Feeling a lack of companionship was more common among seniors who reported fair or poor mental health (73%). Social isolation and loneliness may affect your mental and physical wellness.

Before that happens, consider moving into assisted living in New Albany, Indiana. Their lifestyle programs can offer opportunities for daily engagement. Having a social life in senior living may enhance your well-being and sense of belonging.

What are the dangers of social isolation, and how can you build strong resident community bonds? Read on to find out!

What Is Social Isolation?

You may feel lonely if you're disconnected from others or often alone. Social isolation may cause you to feel lonely. Social isolation can occur if you lack:

  • Contact with friends, neighbors, and family members
  • A strong support system
  • Meaningful relationships

According to the American Psychiatric Association, about 30% of Americans have experienced feelings of loneliness at least once a week in the past year. Another 10% say they feel lonely every day. Among those polled, about 38% say they reach out to friends or family when they feel lonely.

What Is Community Life for Seniors Important?

According to the National Institute on Aging, loneliness and social isolation are linked with higher risks for a variety of physical and mental health issues. They may increase your risk of:

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

Engaging in productive and meaningful activities with other people, however, could help you live longer.It may give you a sense of purpose in life. Feeling a sense of belonging within your community may help improve your mood.

Some studies indicate that socializing may help improve your cognitive function.Over five years, people who were the most socially active experienced 70% less cognitive decline than those with the lowest rates of social activities.

To protect your mental and physical health, consider engaging with seniors in your local community. Socializing may enhance your overall wellness and quality of life. 

New Albany, IN Senior Programs

You can enjoy a robust social life in senior living by exploring your New Albany, IN, community senior programs. Here are a few programs that offer daily engagement for older adults.

Dining

Enjoy delicious, nutritious dishes made with your preferences in mind through your senior living community's dining program. Common benefits of eating together include:

  • Improves mental and physical health
  • Encourages connection
  • Decreases feelings of loneliness
  • Reduces the risk of depression
  • Encourages healthy eating habits
  • Improves communication skills
  • Improves self-esteem

Consider asking friends to join you as you discover and make new dishes. Cooking together can strengthen bonds and encourage teamwork. You can find cooking and baking classes through your senior living community's events and activities calendar.

Exercise

Check your senior living community's fitness program for exercise classes, including:

  • Tai chi
  • Pilates
  • Swimming
  • Aerobics classes
  • Water aerobics
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Pickleball
  • Weight lifting
  • Body weight exercises
  • Hiking and walking groups

You can meet new friends through these exercise classes. Participating together may hold everyone accountable to attend regularly. Other benefits of exercising alongside friends include:

  • Reduced social isolation and loneliness
  • Increased safety
  • Learn new techniques and exercises
  • Motivation
  • Accountability to stick to a schedule

Events and Activities

For an engaging social life in senior living, explore your community's events and activities calendar. They may offer:

  • Painting, drawing, and other art classes
  • Sculpting
  • Pet, music, and art therapy
  • Movie and book club
  • Birdwatching
  • Gardening
  • Mahjong
  • Cooking and baking classes
  • Knitting and crocheting circles
  • Sewing and quilting
  • Bingo
  • Card games and poker tournaments
  • Music lessons

Engaging in hobbies can help you relieve stress.You can also learn new skills from friends, which may benefit your cognitive health. 

Support Groups

You can find support groups through your senior living community for:

  • Grief
  • Addiction
  • Chronic illnesses
  • Changes brought on by retirement

Learn coping skills from other seniors within your community. You can build strong resident community bonds that benefit your mental health. They can offer support as you navigate unfamiliar experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can You Find Connection in Assisted Living?

You can find connection in assisted living by:

  • Remaining open and approachable
  • Volunteering
  • Starting conversations and asking questions
  • Finding purpose through shared interests
  • Sharing meals with friends
  • Exploring outdoor spaces together
  • Attending events (cultural events, holiday parties, dancing, etc.)

Check your senior living community's events and activities calendar. You can discover fun opportunities to connect with other seniors in Albany, IN.

What Are the Risk Factors of Social Isolation?

Common risk factors for social isolation and loneliness include:

  • Struggling with the loss of a loved one
  • Having limited access to transportation
  • Retirement or unemployment
  • Facing a divorce
  • Facing a long-term disability, chronic condition, or disease
  • Living in a rural or hard-to-reach area
  • Being marginalized or discriminated against
  • Having a depressive or psychiatric condition

Seniors face a higher risk. Other group risk factors for social isolation and loneliness can include:

  • Immigrants
  • Older adults
  • Low-income adults
  • People who identify as queer
  • Adults who live alone
  • Young adults

Consider moving into a senior living community if you're facing these risk factors. You can make connections with other seniors to reduce your risk.

Discover Assisted Living in New Albany, Indiana

Choosing assisted living in New Albany, Indiana, can help you avoid social isolation and loneliness. You can engage in fun group activities while making lasting connections with other seniors. You can find opportunities to connect through your New Albany senior living community. 

Bennett Place Assisted Living helps residents thrive in body and mind through a variety of activities. 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 an active social calendar and wellness program. Contact us now to schedule your tour.

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