Oak Park, AR is a wonderful place to live in but moving to a retirement community is a big change in one’s life. You will be moving out of your own home and living amongst people whom you have probably never met before. While it is natural to build bonds and friendships amongst residents in the community, don’t forget the team members as well. You will interact with them regularly while they see to all your daily needs and necessities. Therefore, it is also important to build a good rapport with the team members. Read on for some tips on how you can build great bonds with the team members at retirement communities in Oak Park, AR.
Communication is Key
Communication is the basis of all relationships, and it is no different when it comes to building strong bonds with the team members at the retirement communities. You do not need to engage in lengthy conversations all day long but communicate frequently with the team members whom you see often or spend a lot of time with. Sincere and honest communication comes a long way and it builds two-way trust that is essential in all relationships. This is especially important in a retirement community as the bonds you build can help in getting you to adjust, adapt and enjoy your new lifestyle.
There are different forms of communication with different end goals. The community needs to hear your voice, perhaps regarding their services or programs. Apart from face-to-face interactions with the team members, you can also share your thoughts and ideas through other channels that the community provides for its residents, such as surveys or gathering electronic feedback through text messages. With frequent and regular communication, a strong bond between the team and residents is achieved.
Community Activities
A wide array of programs and activities are available for you, and these provide opportunities for you to build strong rapport not only with the community residents but the team members as well. Some communities have daily or weekly activities that engage the residents and team members, such as exercise sessions or card games. You can frequently participate in various community events for your well-being and interpersonal growth. These community activities are a great way to enjoy and interact with the team members. Frequent interaction in a relaxed and fun environment can help build strong bonds.
Get Your Family Involved
If your retirement community has an online portal for family members, encourage them to regularly check it out. Some of these family engagement portals allow the team members to upload photographs of events and other interesting things happening in the community. Sometimes, family members can ‘like’ photographs and posts or even post comments.
Other than these portals, some communities hold special events where family members are encouraged to attend and join in. This gives ample opportunity for your family members to get to know the team working there, and vice versa.
Strong bonds do not happen overnight, but with some effort, understanding, and most importantly communication, you will build meaningful bonds with the team members with ease.
