Every year, the first Sunday in August is National Friendship Day — a day to celebrate the importance of making new friends and reconnecting with old ones.
Friendship is a vitally important part of settling into life in a nursing home. Many new residents are worried about feeling isolated and lonely when they first enter care. Making friends can help them settle quickly, find a routine, and join in with activities and events.
In this short post, we examine the importance of friendship in later life, its role in care homes, and how we foster friendships among our residents here at Fulford.
The importance of friendship in later life
While some of us are lucky enough to keep the same core group of friends for a long time, for others, life gets in the way. Children come along, careers change, and priorities shift; all of which can result in people drifting apart and losing touch.
However, the benefits of friendship don’t change. In fact, making new friends takes on an extra level of significance as we get older:
- Emotional well-being: By sharing interests and experiences, friends can provide emotional support, reduce feelings of loneliness, and contribute to overall happiness.
- Mental health benefits: Studies show that strong social connections can help combat depression and cognitive decline in older adults.
- Physical health benefits: Studies also show that meaningful relationships can lead to better physical health outcomes, such as lower blood pressure and reduced risk of chronic diseases.
The unique role of friendship in care homes
In addition to the benefits discussed above, friendship in a care home setting can help residents thrive and discover a new lease on life as they transition from home to nursing home.
By making new connections, it can help them adjust to the care home environment while fostering a sense of community and belonging.
It also gives them an opportunity to bond with their peers who have similar life experiences and challenges. There’s a comfort in knowing that no matter what they’re going through, whether it’s an illness, bereavement, or recovery from a procedure, they’re not alone.
How Fulford fosters friendships among residents
Led by our Wellbeing Coordinator and senior management team, the Fulford staff play an important role in fostering friendships among residents. We do this via the following three initiatives:
1. We organise engaging social activities
Our residents are encouraged to participate in activities like games, arts and crafts, gardening, karaoke, and movie nights.
We also plan our calendar around important events throughout the year. For example, we hosted special afternoon teas for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and the King’s Coronation.
And our activities aren’t confined to the home. We regularly plan and run senior-friendly activities in and around York, giving our residents a chance to see some new and familiar sights while interacting with one another.
Read more: 20+ social activities enjoyed by our nursing home residents
2. We create welcoming spaces
Our common areas have been designed to be warm and inviting to encourage residents to socialise. We’ve also ensured that Fulford is safe, inclusive, and accessible, helping those who might be a little introverted or have mobility difficulties feel like they have opportunities to connect with other residents.
3. We facilitate friendships
We pride ourselves on our staff’s training and development — and part of that is ensuring they can recognise and nurture budding friendships among residents. For instance, if we learn that a new resident has a passion for art, we’ll introduce them to those with similar interests and nudge them towards joining in with any upcoming arts and crafts activities.
In summary
As we’ve discovered, friendship is vital as we age — especially in a care home. It’s good for our health and well-being and can make all the difference in settling into a nursing home environment.
If you have a loved one in care, your friendship matters more than ever. Regular nursing home visits are important and can help your loved one reap many of the benefits we’ve discussed above.
Would you like to learn more about Fulford Nursing Home, our social activities programme, or our approach to fostering friendships in care? Contact us on 01904 654 269.