Why Should Older Adults Try Out Social Media?

Technology offers many benefits for seniors, but many have yet to jump on the social media bandwagon. While social media may seem a little intimidating at first, it is easy to use once a profile is set up. In fact, getting involved with social media provides seniors with many benefits that make going online worth the effort.

Stay Close to Extended Family

Seniors sometimes feel left out when their families are too busy to call or visit due to other responsibilities. It’s also common for family members to live far apart, which makes it difficult to keep up with regular visits. Talking online makes it easier for seniors to stay connected with their extended families, and seeing updated posts gives family members reassurance their senior loved ones are doing okay. Since it only takes a few seconds to view a picture or send a quick message, this is a wonderful way for seniors to enjoy an emotional boost anytime they find themselves falling into a negative mood.

Meet New People

Being an active senior today often means attending local social events. However, it might not always be easy to get out in the community. Although seniors must be cautious about online safety, it’s possible to reconnect with old friends and meet new people on social media so they can avoid feeling isolated or lonely. Making new friends online also allows seniors to socialize on days when getting out of the house is a challenge. For families living in Winnipeg, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.

Share Photos & Videos

The days of having to print and mail pictures are over, and using social media to send family photos and videos saves on the cost of printing and shipping them. It’s also fun to check in on the latest pictures of grandchildren or upload recent holiday memories. Sending a photo is a quick and easy way for seniors to let family and friends see all the fun things they’ve been doing.

Keep Cognitive Skills Sharp

It’s important to continue learning new things throughout every stage in life, and getting involved in social media helps aging adults learn valuable technological skills. Seniors should ask friends or caregivers to show them how to set up profiles and interact with family members and friends on social media platforms. Then they can enjoy reading and writing posts that keep their minds stimulated. Regular mental stimulation can stave off dementia and alleviate its symptoms. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of at-home care. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.

Find Encouragement for Healthy Living

One of the most exciting things about social media today is that seniors can use it to boost their motivation to stay fit. Seniors should consider joining groups on social media that enable members to encourage each other by posting exercise stats. Older adults can also use social media to find links to healthy recipes and motivational quotes that keep them inspired to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Winnipeg in-home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping. To learn about our high-quality in-home care services, give us a call at (204) 489-6000 today.