Using Technology To Stay Connected

Learning to use and navigate technology can be intimidating for anyone, especially older adults who didn’t grow up in the age of the internet and handheld devices. And while it’s natural to resist technology, getting comfortable with tech can help seniors stay connected with loved ones regardless of location or health.

The Benefits Of Staying Connected

Social isolation and loneliness are growing concerns among older adults. Humans are social creatures, and for years, we learn and grow in communities of people, whether it’s our family, school friends, or work colleagues. Those communities get smaller as we age because of basic life changes like graduations, retirements, moves, health, and loss.

Technology can help lower social isolation and loneliness among seniors, allowing individuals to connect with loved ones and community members without leaving their homes. But more than simply helping seniors feel less alone, research finds that social isolation and loneliness among seniors increase the risk of heart disease, dementia, and stroke.

Staying Connected With Technology

Technology can initially feel overwhelming, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be surprised how it can open your life to more fulfilling relationships with loved ones.

Video Calls

Standard telephone calls are great for quick catch-ups with friends, but there’s something special about seeing your loved one’s face when talking to them. Nearly all smartphones have video call capabilities. You may need to download an application (app) to your phone, but once you download it to your device, you use it to call loved ones just like you would a regular phone.

If you don’t have a smartphone, you can also make video calls through your laptop or tablet, as long as you have a camera (most laptops and tablets have built-in cameras). Like your phone, you can download a video calling app or use a website to connect with friends.

Social Media

Scheduling time to talk with loved ones can be tricky. If you want a way to stay connected with friends and family on your own time, you’ll love social media. There are hundreds of social media sites on the Internet, each with unique perks. However, if you’re new to social media, the most popular ones are Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

• Facebook: Share written posts, photos, videos, articles, and other media forms with friends.
• Instagram: Share photos and videos with followers and discover new content from local creators.
• TikTok: Share and watch videos from friends and social media personalities you choose to follow.
• LinkedIn: Connect with professionals and have educational discourse with past or present colleagues.

All these social media sites are free to use. Simply create an account, set your settings to private to keep your account safe, and start connecting with friends.

Online Clubs

Not all connections need to be with people you already have relationships with. Sometimes, it’s nice to have conversations and interactions with strangers. And there’s no better or safer way to connect with strangers than through a virtual club.

Virtual clubs are groups of people with similar interests who come together online to discuss that interest, such as a book club. There are tons of different clubs and groups that you can find online for nearly any interest you can think of. A few virtual clubs specific to Atlanta that you can check out include:

• Active Older Adults of Metro Atlanta: Hosted by the YMCA, the Active Older Adults hosts in-person fitness activities in Atlanta for older adults. They also have a virtual program that provides virtual workouts that seniors can try at home.
• ATL Reads Virtual Book Club: This virtual book club meets on the second Tuesday of the month to discuss that month’s book pick.
• AARP Game Center: If you’re an AARP member, you can gain access to tons of online games like virtual cards and crosswords.

How Visiting Angels Can Help

Visiting Angels is a locally owned and operated home care agency dedicated to helping seniors throughout Atlanta and the surrounding areas live full and joyful lives at home.

We offer various at-home services, the most popular of which is companion care. This service focuses on helping clients feel socialized and connected. Our team will gladly assist clients with navigating smartphones or laptops to make video calls, sign up for virtual classes or workouts, or browse the web to find an appealing online course.

In addition to helping clients build connections, we assist with household tasks like light housekeeping, cooking, laundry, and vacuuming. We can also help with personal tasks like grooming, dressing, showering, and mobility.

Contact us to learn more about our at-home care services or to schedule a complimentary consultation.