When it comes to downsizing and choosing a place to spend your retirement, you have a few options. Many seniors find themselves choosing between moving to a condo or a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). While each option has its charms, there is one main advantage of moving to a retirement community: it’s a community. When you live in a setting surrounded by people your age, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make friends. Make the most of the opportunity by taking part in social events in your retirement community. Not sure where to begin?
Social Events in a Retirement Community
There are plenty of ways to take part in the social activities in your community, but here are a few of our favorites:
Meal Times
There’s no better way to connect with someone than over a meal. Meal times are an easy opportunity to meet your fellow residents—after all, everybody eats! Get out of your room and socialize with your neighbors, or sit down with strangers and make new friends. You’ll find that you can learn a lot about someone over dinner conversation! You may even learn about new clubs or social activities you didn’t know about before.
At Briarwood, we have a restaurant-style dining room that serves three meals a day. We even hold a weekly Sunday brunch. Stop by and enjoy a meal—the food is good and the company is even better!
Fun and Games
Care for a little friendly competition? Attend a game night or invite your neighbors over for a round of bridge. Playing games is a great way to break the ice, and you’ll soon be sharing stories and laughs with the other players! Briarwood hosts game nights twice a week on Wednesdays and Thursdays, as well as in the afternoon every Sunday. Will we see you there?
Trips and Outings
Briarwood’s location is close by to all the best Worcester has to offer: food, outdoor activities, cultural centers, and more. Take advantage of it! We offer social outings to our residents, which offer a chance to get off campus, explore the area, and have some fun. Going on these outings is a great opportunity to make and strengthen friendships—not just in the moment, but also when you spend time reminiscing together about all the fun you had. Some of our outings include attending musicals at the Hanover Theatre and chances to enjoy the outdoors at local farms, depending on the season.
One such event coming up is Briarwood’s Annual Golf Outing. This year, we are hosting a fundraiser at Wachusett Country Club. Attendees will compete for golfing prizes and enjoy a delicious dinner—and all proceeds will help fund a portico outside our main building, the Birches.
Club Meetings
You’re sure to have interests and hobbies that you love—wouldn’t you like to spend time with others who share those interests? Join a club or group such as the book club, Knitwits knitting group, Mass Audubon Outdoor Walking Program, or take an exercise class. Joining these activities will put you in direct contact with like-minded members of your community, and you’re sure to make fast friends. Not sure whether a group is right for you? Attend a meeting or two to meet people and see what it’s like!
Keep an Eye on the Calendar
Social events in a retirement community are a great way to engage with your neighbors and make new friends. While many events such as mealtimes, game nights, or club meetings happen on a predictable schedule, there may be seasonal or one-time events that you won’t want to miss! This could include art galleries, movie showings, dances, or even a Superbowl party. Keep an eye on our events calendar so you know what events you’d like to attend.
Let’s Get Social
The best part about a retirement community is its people; by attending social events in your retirement community, you’ll be sure to make lifelong friends.
Are you considering a move to a retirement community? We’d love to show you what Briarwood is all about! Schedule a tour with us: you can see our facilities, meet our excellent residents and staff, and even enjoy a meal in our dining room. We hope that you’ll love our community so much, you’ll want to stay. Schedule your tour today.
