Many older people are excited to move and start a new life in retirement, but once they finally get there, they find that they have no friends. In this video, Adriane Berg, founder of Generation Bold and author of Bottom Line’s Aging for Beginners blog, offers guidance to people facing this situation. Studies show that people with six or more friends live two-and-a-half years longer than those who have fewer friends, and social isolation is a very real problem for older adults.  Having close companions is vitally important to continued health and longevity. In order to expand your pool of potential new friends, Ms. Berg suggests intergenerational friendships. Mentoring and reverse mentoring (where a younger person helps teach you) are both a great way to establish these relationships. Make sure to offer your help when possible and ask for help when needed. Soon you’ll have new friends.

For more great tips from Adriane Berg, check out her Bottom Line blog “Aging for Beginners.” Or you can learn more by visiting her website https://adrianeberg.me or by reading her most recent book How Not to Go Broke at 102.

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