Getting older can be tough, so it’s important for new assisted living residents to have good friends who can help them along the way. As you know, friendship is one of the most wonderful parts of life, but it can be hard to make new friends when you are in your 70s and 80s.
If you and your mother have made the decision to move her to an assisted living facility, you will want to make sure that all aspects of her well-being are attended to, including her social life. As great a caregiver as you are, you cannot be a replacement for good friends. The last thing you want for your mother is for her to feel isolated and lonely in her new home. Although this adjustment can be difficult at first, new friends can definitely turn a house into a home with ease.
Getting to know people takes effort, so your mother needs to make sure she is in the center of the action. Many assisted living facilities offer programs and activities that foster interaction with others. Be sure to encourage your mother to sign up for events as much as she can, whether it’s taking a dance class or joining a civic or church organization. If you can, have her sign up for something she’s never tried before, such as yoga or painting. Learning new things helps keep senses sharp, so new activities can provide both social and mental benefits.
Making new friends is important, but staying in touch is what creates lasting friendships. Bring your mother into the digital age by setting her up with an email or social media account. Another great option for keeping in touch with friends and family is Skype, a free software program that allows users to make video calls to one another. Many seniors are becoming more tech savvy, and this could be an easy way for her to stay connected with friends, both old and new.
Does your father enjoy playing pool or chess from time to time? Encourage him to bring along some new friends the next time he wants to hit the billiards room. Maybe your mother likes scrap booking or crafting – which can also easily turn into a group activity. Although your mother’s alone time is valuable, many of the things she loves can further improve her well-being in a group setting.
Your mother’s social life is as important as any other part of her well-being. Be sure to encourage her to reach out and make new friends so that she stays happy and healthy. Talk with your community’s General Manager to help make new friend connections and get your parent involved and socializing.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.