Ways Seniors can Stay in Touch is a guest blog post written by Mary Shannon from the Seniors Meet website. I have checked out this site and it is full of helpful posts about living life during our “golden” years. This article provides a lot of information about using technology to our benefit, especially during a pandemic! Just a side note, WSC has readers of all ages and while this post is geared to our “senior” readers, younger people can learn a lot too!
Mary’s advice and her suggestions about where and what to buy are her opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of WSC . After all, we are not a tech website and need a guest to give us this kind of information! So here is the article:
“Technology is best when it brings people together.”
The above quote was said by Matt Mullenweg, the entrepreneur and developer credited with creating the popular website-building software WordPress. Matt’s quote has never been truer in this age of the coronavirus pandemic when it’s technology that is keeping families together, even over great distances.
Here are some of our favorite techie tools that are easy to use, fun to learn, and can keep the smiling faces of your grandchildren in the forefront of your mind:
WAYS SENIORS CAN STAY IN TOUCH THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA
Staying in contact with loved ones and your community can be difficult, especially in the face of a pandemic that keeps us all sequestered. Social media can help give you a glimpse of what’s going on in your loved ones’ lives. Facebook and YouTube are the apps most commonly used by seniors, and both offer great ways to be involved in your family’s online lives and in interest- based communities. For instance, you can join a group devoted to cats or knitting – and find like-minded folks like you who want to connect.
Any discussion about social media comes with certain caveats. Just make sure you’re staying safe online and not posting personally identifiable information (like your birthdate or Social Security number).
SOME OTHER WAYS SENIORS CAN STAY IN TOUCH IS THROUGH VIDEO CHATTING APPS
Picking up the phone is one thing, but what if you want to see your grandkids? What about playing games with them? We are all missing that essential human interaction, and video calls are helping us bridge that gap. Zoom, FaceTime, and Meet are only some of the apps available for video chatting, so you can see and hear your loved ones at the same time.
There are lots of creative ways you can use these apps with family and friends. If you enjoy doing crosswords with your kids, you can set up a weekly video call on Sundays and open the newspaper “together.” You can also try out board games (like Candyland). There are many Christian games for children that you can adapt to a video call too. These games allow you to share your faith with your grandchildren while helping everyone grow in their walk with Jesus. (Try it- it’s fun!)
INVEST IN A TABLET
The ability to make high-quality video calls is one of the biggest benefits of owning a tablet. You can also send and receive photographs that will help you feel like you’re right there with your family. Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon all make state-of-the-art tools that are easy to use and fun to play with.
Even if you don’t want to buy a new, flashy tablet with the latest tools from the big tech companies like Apple or Google, there are exciting technologies out there geared specifically for seniors. For instance, tablets like GrandPad exist – a larger-font tablet with only a few clearly labeled apps. It even comes with video and voice calling capabilities to keep you in touch with family.
ENTER THE WORLD OF SMART PHONES
If you already have a smart phone, you know its wonders. Specifically, smartphones and the apps you can download to them allow you to keep in touch with loved ones, even though your family is spread miles apart.
Upgrading your current device (or investing in a new one) can give you access to a wealth of new ways to see your grandchildren’s smiling faces. It is easy to find budget -friendly options for making the leap to a new smartphone too. Just be sure to look for discounts and promotions before you make your decisions.
THIS, TOO, SHALL PASS
There are so many options that will help you keep in touch with your loved ones-from spending birthdays together via Zoom to checking out their Facebook posts—but we know it isn’t a true substitute for the real thing. Don’t worry-you’ll be able to spend time with your loved ones in person soon. Until then, pick up that gadget and connect!
Please visit Seniors Meet website for more information and helpful ideas to navigate all aspects of the senior years. If you are looking for some uplifting and inspirational, posts about living your life as a Christian woman, visit Women Seeking Christ.
