Do Retirement Villages Combat Loneliness?

Many people who live alone suffer from loneliness, especially at this time of year. It’s cold, icy and can sometimes be unsafe to venture out, making it a difficult season. Often, those who do suffer from loneliness don’t know how to combat it and joining clubs can be daunting, especially if you don’t know anybody there.
Retirement villages have proved a successful solution to the problem of loneliness. They offer a range of things to do, like-minded neighbours to visit and plenty of friends to be made nearby. At Red Deer Village, we know only too well the social benefits living in a retirement can have on residents. At our exclusive over 50s community in Glasgow, we witness first hand the positive impact socialising with people whom share the same hobbies and interests can have on residents who would otherwise be alone.
Here we’ve compiled a list of the different ways retirement villages can help combat loneliness.
Enjoy a space away from home
In 2017, Red Deer Village opened a purpose built residents’ hub, so that residents had a place where they could meet and enjoy each others’ company. Residents are welcome to enjoy a tea or coffee with neighbours or invite friends who aren’t living on the park. The Hub is open every day of the week and provides the ideal place to sit and read a newspaper, whilst having a chat with staff or other neighbours who pass by. Simply knowing other people are nearby make a world of difference and help keep loneliness at bay.
Take part in activities
If you’re a very sociable person and like to be more involved, Red Deer Village has a range of activities on offer. Some are led by staff and others by our residents. These include a knitting bee, cheese and wine night, bingo night, games and quiz nights, charity coffee afternoons and a beetle drive. Annual events include a Macmillan Coffee Afternoon and our popular Christmas Lights Switch-on. If you’re someone who likes to contribute to your community, many of our residents personally bake for the Coffee Afternoon. Plus, we are constantly looking for new ideas for activities in our hub!
Get out with friends
If you get easily bored at home, there are lots of options when going out with friends and neighbours. You could sign up to the local gym with a friend and workout whilst socialising. The Glasgow Fort, a large outdoor retail park, complete with restaurants and cinema, is a mere 10 minute drive, which offers a great meeting spot. Alternatively, the local bus stop and train station take you right into Glasgow city centre in less than 20 minutes.
If you don’t travel or want to turn your grocery shop into a social affair, our bus driver will take residents for their shopping every Thursday and Friday. Alistair also takes residents on a monthly outing to a destination chosen by our residents, so you can enjoy travel time and a day out with your neighbours without having to drive or rely on public transport.
Retirement Villages combat loneliness
There are plenty of opportunities to combat loneliness and spend more time with friends and neighbours in a retirement village. This will also improve your social life, mental health and wellbeing. To find out more about living in a retirement village like Red Deer Village, please contact us.