Last updated: November 12, 2025

A long walk around the park, a fresh cup of coffee, visiting a local museum — everything is better with a good friend. And that doesn’t change as we get older. Seniors need social connections not only to survive but to thrive. However, as people age, we often find ourselves spending more time alone.  

What are the benefits of friendships?

According to Mayo Clinic, having strong friendships can improve your overall happiness, self-confidence, and stress levels.¹ So, let’s talk about what friendship might look like as you’re getting older and explore some reasons why prioritizing friendships is essential for your health:   

1: The remedy to loneliness and isolation

Senior isolation and loneliness are damaging to self-esteem, physical and emotional well-being, and even longevity. Recent studies have indicated there may be a connection between social isolation and an increased risk of dementia and other serious illnesses.² Having strong social connections, even if it’s just one or a few friends, helps you keep your thinking and cognitive skills sharp. 

2. Friends help hold you accountable 

Not only do social bonds come with physical and mental benefits, but they also create a support system and accountability for you, helping to keep you safe and feeling your very best, particularly in trying times. Social connection, studies show, can also help protect against chronic disease, improve sleep quality, lower anxiety and depression, and lead to better eating habits.³

3. Friends help you remain active 

Staying active to prevent a sedentary lifestyle is one of the biggest challenges seniors face, especially those who are living alone and don’t have family nearby. A body in motion stays in motion, and a healthy body supports a healthy mind. When seniors move around, walk to visit each other (even if it is just down the street) and engage in activities together, they help keep their bodies in good shape and wits sharp. Enjoying time with friends and family is key to being (and staying) young and healthy.  

4. Friendships may be the key to longevity  

Do you want to live longer? Form close friendships as you age! Many studies have shown that people who have satisfying relationships with friends and their community are often happier, experience fewer health problems, and tend to live longer.

5. Improves cognitive function

Our cognitive functions help us understand information and carry out our daily tasks. As we age, our short-term and long-term memory and the speed at which we can process information gradually begins to decline. Fortunately, socialization can help. Engaging in conversations with others will exercise your mind, improving your cognitive ability.   

Where to make new friends  

Now that you know all the benefits of having friends, you may wonder: Where do I even make friends? The simple answer is everywhere. Just remember to keep calm and be yourself. Everything else will come naturally. Here are some great ways to start meeting new people:   

• Volunteer your time. Helping others is a great way to make friends. It puts you around great people and lets them see that you believe in helping your community. 
• Give social media a try. It may seem like new territory if you’ve never tried it before, but it allows you to find and reconnect with old friends.  
• Become more active in your church. Check out the upcoming events at your place of worship. Many churches offer social gatherings for seniors.  
• Accept the invitation. When people reach out to you, keep an open mind to the possibilities. Simply getting out more increases the odds of meeting people and potentially making new friends.  
• Join a gym. Find a senior-friendly gym or class in your local area. This allows you to stay in shape and make a friend or two.  
• Go out for bingo night. If you’re in an area where organizations hold weekly bingo nights, don’t be afraid to attend one. A potential friend could be waiting for you inside.   
• Locate a local senior center. Most local markets have a senior center where you can meet and work with other seniors for events, art classes, and exercise classes.  

It goes without saying that maintaining close relationships is good for the mind and body. However, remember that nurturing a friendship isn’t a one-way street — it takes effort regardless of your age. Once you’ve found a good friendship, you will need to take steps to stay in touch and communicate with them frequently. While making new friends may feel daunting at first, you will enjoy having someone to create new memories with and be there for you.   

Another great place to start making new friends could be in the comfort of your own home. At HomeWell, we specialize in more than just the practical needs of daily life. Our reliable in-home caregivers also provide a far more fundamental need: friendship. Bringing a HomeWell companion caregiver into your home can help provide you or a loved one with the necessary social stimulation to live a healthy, happy life.  

Sources

1. Mayo Clinic. (2024, October 15). “Friendships: Enrich your life and improve your health.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/friendships/art-20044860
2. Yang, Y., & Jiang, Y. (2024, October 3). “The Association Between Social Isolation and Incident Dementia Among Older Adults: Evidence from National Health and Aging Trend Study.” Innovation in Aging. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11520738/
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 15). “Social Connection.” https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/about/index.html