By: Mary Shannon
Social interaction is vital to the health and well-being of all people. Staying connected to others promotes physical fitness, improves life expectancy and increases happiness. Unfortunately, older members of society often feel isolated and alienated. When you live far away from senior relatives, access to technology can be essential to keep in touch.
Why It Is Crucial To Stay Connected
According to the Journal of Aging Life Care, loneliness and social isolation lead to decreased mental and physical wellness for older people. Depression and anxiety are likely to occur when people do not interact with others regularly. In addition to poor mental health, lack of connection to loved ones and friends can also contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Evidence also links isolation to low cognitive functioning and memory problems.
Making sure your older acquaintances stay connected is vital to their health and well-being. You can enlist volunteer services through ElderCARE to help them remain social when you are not able to be there. You can also keep in contact in many ways with the use of technology.
How a Smartphone Helps You Remain Social
Investing in a smartphone for older family members is an excellent way to stay in touch. With the capability to send emails and texts, make and receive phone calls and add social media apps, your senior relatives can maintain communication with the people in their lives.
Find phones with large screens that are easy to navigate. Help them access the settings to enlarge text and icons. Enable features such as reading texts aloud, voice dictation and virtual assistant technology. These innovations help overcome typing or vision struggles. Research different senior-friendly options to find the best one for your loved one.
Look for special offers and discounts to save money when purchasing and setting up phone technology. Some plans even allow people to trade in old devices for savings on new ones. Cut out any unnecessary plan features by sticking to only what you need. Consider pre-paid plans and shop different carriers to find the best deals.
Why Video Chats Make It Easier To Communicate
Chatting via video is an excellent way for seniors to interact, especially if they have hearing loss. This communication method allows them to see facial expressions, body language and other visual cues while conversing. It’s also a great way to see details you might otherwise miss, like reduced attendance to appearance or issues in the home environment.
Arbor Company notes that among the many social media platforms seniors especially enjoy, video conference services like Zoom, Skype and Facetime provide opportunities for family games and special occasion celebrations. Grandchildren can read, craft or create art together with their grandparents, encouraging intergenerational relationships.
You can make video calls from a smartphone, computer or tablet. Tablets may be more comfortable to navigate than phones as they have larger screens than phones, yet still afford seniors the convenience of a touchscreen. There are many options available today that are ideal for the older population.
How Social Media Can Benefit Seniors
Adding social media accounts to a smartphone or tablet gives your loved ones another avenue to correspond with people in their lives. They can view and share photos and updates, send messages and gain conversation-starters for your next video chat or phone call.
Facebook has the option to set up private groups that enable you to share things only with members, giving you more privacy. These separate groups allow you to share more with your relatives than you would typically post to your public or friends list.
How To Take a Virtual Trip Together
Call your loved one and get online together for a virtual tour. With a smart device, your family members can follow along with you to explore destinations together. There are many digital tours available, allowing you to see and experience new places concurrently.
Take the time to ensure your older friends and relatives have access to volunteer services and current communication devices to maintain their health. Remaining connected with your loved ones via technology is a great way to promote physical and emotional well-being for you and all your family members.
ElderCARE is dedicated to providing care, support and connection to seniors. For more information on how we can help your senior loved one, or if you would like to volunteer, connect with us today by calling (847) 406-4683.