You may have heard it’s harder to make friends as you grow older. But there are plenty of people who have formed amazing friendships later in life.
Just look at GreenFields of Geneva residents Ruth Meisenheimer and Susanne Ferris.
“I came to [GreenFields of Geneva] right at the end of COVID and I found it was very, very friendly,” Susanne said. “Ruth was one of the first people I met and it kind of clicked.”
Ruth agreed that friendship with Susanne happened very naturally.
“Susanne’s a wonderful friend, very thoughtful,” Ruth said. “We have a lot of fun together. We play cards, we play bridge, and we are on the same [Nintendo] Wii bowling team. We also eat together frequently and we even visit with each other’s families when they come to visit.”
The Secret to a Good Friendship
It’s helpful if you have something in common with the person who you’re trying to become friends with and it turns out community living can help reveal these commonalities.
“There are so many things to do [at GreenFields of Geneva], it’s hard to keep up with everything,” Ruth said. “I particularly like the classical music programs they have. We have Thirsty Thursday, which is a social hour. We have a pianist for [the social hour] who’s just perfect.”
“Our theme song is ‘We Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,’” Ruth added with a laugh.
Laughter is something that happens frequently whenever Ruth and Susanne are together.
“We socialize, chat, laugh at the world, and we’re happy with who we are,” Susanne said. “I also belong to the Outreach Program, which is [a program] where we help new residents get acquainted with [GreenFields of Geneva] … and introduce them to people.
“We also belong to the Special Events Committee,” Susanne added, noting that participation in these committees has helped them meet other interesting people.
Tips for Meeting New People
Ruth and Susanne’s friendship seemed to happen quite naturally, but there’s something to be said for putting yourself in the right situation where friendships can flourish. Both friends noted that moving into GreenFields of Geneva opened up a lot of opportunities for them.
“You need to be willing to meet people halfway, or maybe more than halfway, to begin with,” Ruth said. “At [GreenFields of Geneva] we eat in the Bistro for lunch and breakfast. And it’s easy to go up to a table and ask if you could join a group and you can meet people that way.”
Ruth also noted that group fitness classes are another great way to meet others.
“Everyone is very friendly at [GreenFields of Geneva], even though I’m the only person here from Southern Illinois, which means I’m practically from another planet,” Ruth said with a laugh. “I really like all the people—they’re really nice. And that’s the main thing. It’s comfortable here.”
Checking in on One Another
If Susanne and Ruth never moved to GreenFields of Geneva, they might have never met. But they try not to think about it too much. They are more concerned with appreciating the moment.
“It was just one of those things,” Susanne said with a smile. “[Some might call it] predestination. I don’t know [for sure], but I was just so happy to meet Ruth. We text back and forth.”
Knowing that there is someone nearby who cares is uplifting for Ruth and Susanne.
“It’s so nice to get that text in the morning, or whenever,” Ruth added.
Make New Connections at GreenFields of Geneva
GreenFields of Geneva, a charming senior living community in Geneva, Illinois, offers many opportunities to meet new people—from engaging activities to delectable dining. While Susanne and Ruth have a bond that is hard to replicate, you never know who you might meet here.
Consider this your friendly invitation to interact with more residents like Ruth and Susanne, while also learning how GreenFields of Geneva can help you stay active and social.
Contact us to learn more about life at GreenFields of Geneva.
