Bringing in 2026 with Friendships

Helping Adults Make and Keep Friendships: A Caregiver’s Gentle Guide

The New Year is a time of fresh starts, hopeful intentions, and renewed focus on what truly matters. This week, as we center our theme on Building Social Connections, we’re reminded that friendships are not just a “nice to have”—they are essential to emotional well-being, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

For many adults who receive care or support, building and maintaining friendships can come with unique challenges. As caregivers, family members, and support professionals, our role is not to manage relationships for someone, but to gently guide, empower, and respect their autonomy along the way.

This guide focuses on four key pillars that help friendships grow in healthy, sustainable ways: consent, trust, communication, and independence.

Consent: Relationships Are a Personal Choice

Friendship begins with choice. Not every interaction needs to become a relationship, and not every person will be a good fit—and that’s okay.

Caregivers can support consent by respecting who someone chooses to spend time with, encouraging participation without forcing engagement, and helping individuals recognize and voice their comfort levels.

Consent also means understanding boundaries—both their own and others’. Teaching that it’s okay to say no, change one’s mind, or take space helps lay the foundation for respectful, healthy friendships.

Trust: Built Slowly, Strengthened Daily

Trust doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built through consistency, honesty, and positive shared experiences.

Support trust-building by encouraging adults to take time getting to know others, modeling dependable behaviors, and helping them recognize red flags and safe ways to ask for help when something doesn’t feel right.

Communication: The Heart of Every Friendship

Clear, respectful communication is essential for building and maintaining connections.

Caregivers can help by practicing conversation skills, supporting various communication styles, and encouraging honest yet kind expression. Strong communication helps prevent misunderstandings and empowers individuals to advocate for their needs.

Fostering Independence: Stepping Back with Purpose

One of the most meaningful ways to support friendships is knowing when to step back.

Encouraging independence includes allowing adults to initiate plans, offering guidance only when needed, and celebrating social successes. Confidence grows through independence, leading to more authentic and fulfilling relationships.

Looking Ahead

As we move into the New Year, let’s commit to supporting social connections that are respectful, self-directed, and rooted in dignity. Friendships thrive when adults are trusted to lead their own relationships—with caregivers serving as compassionate guides in the background.

Here’s to a year of growth, connection, and community.