How to Cultivate New Friends as You Age

Stanford Center on Longevity Director Laura Carstensen says baby boomers are more disengaged with their neighbors and even their loved ones than any other generation, which is "going to be harder to make new friends," according to Kaiser Health News . Authentic friendships at any age usually require repeated contact, says author Dr. Andrea Bonior, who recommends seniors join group exercise classes or knitting or book clubs. She also says seniors should participate in "altruistic behavior" such as volunteering in a soup kitchen or an animal shelter or tutoring English as a second language. Carstensen suggests returning to school can be one of the most successful ways for an older person to make new friends, while Bonior advises seniors to adopt social media. Center for Loss and Life Transition founder Alan Wolfelt notes social media connections can help older people strike up new friendships with relatives. "It's important to create support systems that don't isolate you with your own generation," he says. Many seniors consider their children their best friends, which Carstensen says can be a major benefit. "I don't think it matters who your friends are," she notes. "It's the quality of the relationship that matters most."