Having your own place to live in evokes feelings of liberation. You can incorporate your personal likings into your home as you wish. However, usually with freedom, comes responsibility. By this, we do not just mean paying rental or keeping your place clean. It is also about being a good neighbour to those who live around you. Here is how you can be a good neighbour to other residents of a retirement community.
Offer a Welcome Basket and More
If there is a new resident in the community, sending him or her a welcome basket is a nice gesture. But, how can you take it a step further? You can make small talk with the new resident and introduce them to the many on-site senior living amenities that they can enjoy. You can also recommend several senior living activities that you enjoy and ask him or her to join you in the next session. Let them know that you are happy to show them around if they ever need company to explore the community grounds.
Be a Mindful Pet Owner
If you are residing in a pet-friendly retirement community, always be mindful of your pet. Not everyone is a pet lover as some may have allergies to certain types of pets. Taking your pet for a walk around the retirement community can improve your social health as you get to mingle with your neighbors. However, remember to put your pet on a leash and clean up after their messes.
Follow Community Rules
Every retirement community has its own set of rules that residents need to adhere to. As a good resident, take the time to review the rules and it is important for you to follow the instructions to avoid conflict and maintain peace with fellow residents. Together, you can help create a much more conducive environment for yourself and your neighbors who are just looking to enjoy a much more enriching retirement lifestyle.
Keep the Noise Down
Everyone loves some peace and quiet especially when they are just relaxing at home, enjoying a good book or catching some winks. If you reside in an apartment home with shared walls, be mindful of the noise that you make inside your home. Whenever you have guests over, make sure that your conversations do not go late into the night. Consider having your friends and family over at an earlier part of the day instead of in the evening.
Handle Conflict Peacefully
If there is ever an instance that you encounter a conflict with your neighbor, always handle it in a peaceful manner. Every problem has its own solution and it is important for you to try to solve it amicably to maintain a good relationship with your neighbors. Some problems may be more difficult to handle than others, so always remember to handle one thing at a time.
Being a Good Neighbor
The key to being a good neighbour starts with you. At times, we may cross paths with those who are not as positive as we are. But, at the end of the day, it is about being the bigger person and trying our best to maintain peace with everyone we meet.
