Finding and Defining Your Support System in a Life Plan Community

One of the keys to a good, joyful life is having a strong community and support system. The loved ones in your life are just as — if not more — important as other wellness choices. 

A robust support system is critical to thriving in retirement, helping to ensure well-being and quality of life with more good, healthy years. However, finding that support network, making new friends and defining who is in your support system and what they mean to you can sometimes be difficult. 

Discover how to cultivate more meaningful connections, how to find your support system and how a Life Plan Community (also known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community or CCRC) can help expand your social circle. 

What Is a Support System, and Why Is It Important?

A support system is a network of people you turn to for support when you need it. This support could be emotional, mental or practical, such as providing assistance during illness if needed. Their support keeps you going during challenging times, but your support network is also there to cheer you on when things are going well, helping to sustain you.

A support system can include anyone. It doesn’t matter so much how many people are in your support system or what your relationship with them is — what matters is that you trust and have a close relationship with them. 

You’ve likely also heard of formal support groups, which is a different type of support system available to help people who are caregivers or are grieving after a traumatic event. This connection with others who are going through a similar situation is helpful for healing and to uplift others.

Finding your support system and having it in place before, during and after challenging moments can help you manage stress and other negative emotions. It can help you become more resilient and bolster you emotionally when you’re feeling overwhelmed or down.

Loneliness can be as harmful as other health risks. Research has shown that loneliness can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, reduced immunity, cognitive decline and more. Support systems have been shown to improve well-being and life satisfaction, reduce stress and more.

Identifying and Finding Your Support System

How does your current support system make you feel? Who is there for you when you need it? Remember that the people in your support system should care for you, show compassion and be stable. Most importantly, remember that you should do the same for them.

To identify the people who should be in your support system, consider what you expect from them. Do you need someone to vent to? Do you need someone to share your achievements with or simply have someone you know is on your side? Do you need additional, outside support? Could a mental health professional be a good fit if you need to talk in-depth about the challenges you’re experiencing?

Having a variety of people in your support system is beneficial to providing support in times of need. But don’t forget to reach out to people in your support system to let them know you’re there for them too and to continue nurturing those relationships.

To find supportive people in your life, consider:

• How you feel when you talk with them
• If they take your feelings into account
• If they celebrate wins with you
• If they encourage you
• If they tell you the truth — as difficult as it may be – when you need to hear it

The members of your support network don't need to be flawless. However, they should be empathetic, listen to you and try to understand where you’re coming from. You may find that some people are more supportive than others. While you don’t have to abandon your connections with people who aren’t as supportive, you may choose to strengthen your connections with those who are great supporters.

How To Cultivate Meaningful Connections

Your connections don’t have to be perfect. It’s all about building and finding your support system in a way that’s meaningful and joyful to you. Here are some suggestions to help you get started:

Strengthen your existing connections.

Make time to nurture your current connections. Is there anyone in your social circle you would like to know better? Get in the habit of regularly reaching out to your existing friendships to check in, chat, see how they’re doing and share updates about your own life.

If this seems overwhelming, it can help to set aside a specific time each week when you’ll check in with those you may not see or speak to frequently. Setting a specific time and intention can make it easier to sustain these friendships.

Invite your connections into your decision-making processes about important life events. Share your reasoning behind your decisions, and then ask for their honest opinion. It’s important to keep an open mind. If you’re going to ask for feedback, remember that it may not always be what you want to hear, and your support system can’t help you very well if you don’t want to consider what they say.

Support your own network.

Support goes both ways. Do your best to support your network as they do you. Be open to their advice on how you can best support them and be a good listener and confidant. 

Remember to be there for your friends and family in your support system when things are difficult for them. This is an essential part of nurturing your support system — if support is only going one way, it will fall apart fast. Your system needs to be able to count on you as well as you count on them.

Use technology.

Online friendships are just as important as in-person ones! Living far away from your connections doesn’t make them any less valid. In fact, expanding your social circle to include people you communicate with online can widen your support network, help you become more open-minded and even help you find others who may be going through some of the same challenges that you may be. 

Social media and technology are quite helpful when it comes to connecting with friends and family from afar and even make it feel like they aren’t actually that far away. Set up a time for a video call so you can still have a face-to-face conversation, and use social media to share photos and updates. Doing this can help foster your connections despite not living nearby.

Connect with others with similar interests.

It’s common to think it’s easier to nurture an existing relationship than it is to start a new one. Making friends as you age, especially during retirement, can be challenging when you don’t have a workplace where it’s easier to meet and chat with new people. 

While this is challenging, it isn’t impossible! Think about your interests — reading, gardening, card games, exercise — whatever they are, there are plenty of ways to meet new people in clubs or classes focused on these hobbies. By meeting new people during these activities, you’ll know you already have some common interests, which can help build the bridge toward a new friendship. 

Not sure where to find new classes and clubs to join? Life Plan Communities are a great place to start.

Social and Wellness Programming Available in Life Plan Communities 

Life Plan Communities are designed to help residents live their best lives, providing plenty of fun amenities, events and clubs all under one roof. Residents can take full advantage of the maintenance-free lifestyle Life Plan Communities offer, which affords them more time to explore these amenities, pursue their passions and make deeper connections.

Life Plan Communities provide resources that help you live well and focus on your overall well-being. They help residents:

Build deep connections.

Life Plan Communities offer a daily social calendar packed with a variety of events and social clubs to meet every interest. This wide range of events, combined with a warm and welcoming community lifestyle, makes it easy and effortless to build new, strong friendships. 

Access comprehensive care.

Life Plan Communities offer all levels of living. This means you can enjoy the amenities and active lifestyle independent living provides while having access to higher levels of living, such as assisted living or memory support, if needed.

Enjoy wellness programming.

Life Plan Communities have a variety of wellness resources on campus to meet every fitness level and interest. Many communities have a fitness center with exercise classes, walking paths and more that make physical activity easier. Communities also offer healthy and fresh dining options that make it easy to meet your nutrition goals while enjoying delicious food. 

Eager to learn more about creating a joyful retirement and lasting friendships in a Life Plan Community? Read our guide, The Advantages of a Senior Living Community.