An 83-year-old who moved from New York to Florida explains how she's working to prevent loneliness and make friends — without playing pickleball

• Rosalind, 83, moved from New York to Florida three years ago, ad she's struggled to make friends.
• To mitigate loneliness, she's taken up bridge, a book club, and attended local plays.
• While she knows it takes time to find lasting friendships, she just wishes it was easier.

Rosalind, 83, spent her whole life living in New York. Her family was there, and while she was single for most of her time in the state, she had many friendships and a range of activities she enjoyed doing.

All of that changed when she decided to move to Florida three years ago, following her niece's family. While Rosalind — who requested to keep her last name withheld for privacy — said she was happy to be in warm weather with her family, she found that the community she moved into had a younger population, leaving her with few things in common with her neighbors.