Seniors are quite adept at learning about new technology and many of them have their own computers and cell phones today. This allows them to interact more efficiently with their loved ones using the social media that is prevalent in today’s society. While many experts warn about the dangers of social networking, it has several benefits for seniors.
Social Media Helps Families Stay in Contact
Whether you are a half-a-world away or just an hour’s drive, you may be too busy to visit an elderly parent as often as you would like. Thanks to sites like Facebook, you can easily maintain contact any time of the day. The benefit of social media is that you can send a message to your loved one when it is convenient for you and they can respond back in their own time.
You can chat together in real time or leave messages for each other to answer to at different times of the day. Seniors who get tired easily will not wear out as quickly answering messages as they would with face-to-face visiting or talking on the phone. Since they never know when they will have a message, it gives them something to look forward to every time they log on.
Social Media Allows Families to Share Events and Photos
Even if grandma couldn’t be at her grandson’s high school graduation, if you record it on your smart phone and upload it, you can share the event with your parents. Parents several hours away can see their new grandbaby just minutes after their birth. This allows seniors to feel connected and involved in their children’s lives even when they can’t travel and get around like they used to.
You can take videos of big events or just everyday activities to let your senior family member know what is going on in your life. One of the most often heard complaints of seniors is that they don’t feel important to their family anymore. With social media, they will continue to feel like a part of the family and enjoy their kids and grandkids. They can also share these moments with their caregivers to give them something to talk about.
Social Media Gives Family Caregivers Peace of Mind
If you have a senior parent that lives far away or you just don’t get to see them unless they need something, you may constantly worry about them. They could easily fall and not be found for hours or days or they could get sick and no one would check in with them. With social media, you can easily check in with your parents’ everyday even if you live in different time zones. Just post a message and wait for their response.
Social Media Can Help Seniors Save Money
This may not be as important as the first reasons to use social media, but for people living on a fixed income it matters a lot. Seniors can gain access to information on ways to save money such as clubs or discounts. You can often save money by watching for deals by businesses on Twitter or Facebook. They may also hear about special coupons from their friends that post regularly that they wouldn’t know about otherwise.
Social Media Keeps Seniors Active in the Community
Family is not the only people that seniors can interact with online. They can chat with their friends or join groups and meet new people. This keeps their mind active even when they can’t get out as often. Social media can help prevent depression that often occurs when a senior feels isolated at home. They can find friends with similar interests and join a discussion group; it often gives them something to look forward to. It also provides a topic for discussion when their family or a caregiver is there to visit them.
Seniors often feel like they don’t have as much to contribute as they used to. Social media helps keep them active and interested in life around them. It gives them something to talk about with others, and it helps to prevent them from feeling like they are all alone.
Seniors need social stimulation as much as physical exercise. We at Carefect Homecare Services know the importance of social interaction for seniors and their loved ones. Our caregivers will not only provide housekeeping and personal care assistance, but will help with social interaction for the total well-being of the senior.
