We definitely live in a world where everyone is using some form of social media on a daily basis. It's now estimated that every generation between the ages of 7 and 90 are logging into social media sites every single day. Some of our clients come to us and express concern about their aging parents and grandparents being accessible on social media, especially with so many potential scams happening and the increased negativity. While we certainly agree that monitoring use for our seniors (as well as kids and teenagers) is necessary, there are also many benefits to allowing our seniors to utilize social media.
Here are just a couple of reasons you may want to encourage (or introduce) your senior to social media websites:
1. Staying Up-To-Date
Can you imagine if you lived in a world where everything was advancing quickly, and seemed to be passing you by at record speed? That's often the reaction from many of our senior clients as they describe the world out there. Technology changes daily, the news is now delivered mostly electronically, and everything is immediate. Even shopping for groceries doesn't have to take any time; just shop online, select your pickup window, and wait patiently as your groceries are packed neatly into your trunk. Social media allows seniors to watch everything and know what's changing out there, without necessarily having to leave their home. They can read up on new medical breakthroughs, receive the news however often they desire, and even feel 'in the know' when breaking news happens.
2. Keeping in Touch
In such a busy world, it's easy to lose touch with old friends and family members. Some are often scattered across the country and family reunions are certainly not scheduled as often as they used to be. Social media gives your senior loved ones the opportunity to stay in touch with family members and friends, seeing photos of babies and toddlers, cheering on the graduations from afar, and checking in with fellow friends. Sometimes as our loved ones get older, medical issues or physical limitations may prevent them from being as active as they used to be. Social media helps them stay connected and feel less isolated at times. Don't misunderstand, though; social media is no substitute for physical connection and social activities. We still encourage lots of those!
What other reasons or benefits would you add to this list? We'd love to hear! As always, if you are a family caregiver and need some assistance with your loved ones, our Kind Companions are ready to serve. Reach out to us today for a free consultation.