Embracing Technology: How Seniors Can Stay Connected in 2025
Social isolation can affect our health, and seniors are particularly prone to it. Those living in residential care may have the advantage of a built-in society but the disadvantage of being further from family. Staying connected can lower the risk of depression, anxiety, dementia, and even conditions like heart disease and diabetes. This is where embracing technology for seniors comes in.
Modern technology can help seniors reduce social isolation and increase connection with family and friends in several ways.
Video Calls
Video calls were a lifeline for many during the pandemic. They remain a great tool for talking to people who might be far away or communicating if somebody is sick and doesn’t want to share their germs.
Technology can be challenging for many seniors, especially those with cognitive challenges. Fortunately, there are simplified devices designed specifically for older adults to communicate. These tend to take the form of rugged tablets with specific apps pre-installed, including click-to-connect video calling. For instance, JubileeTV lets seniors have live video chats using a regular TV.
Virtual Travel
Not being able to travel can contribute to depression in seniors. Virtual travel provides an alternative that can easily be shared with family and friends, especially grandchildren.
Through virtual travel, seniors can explore art museums ranging from the National Gallery of Art to the Louvre. National Park Foundation also offers virtual tours, digital safaris including live webcams, virtual hiking, and even places people can’t get to, like Mars.
Virtual reality helps older adults socialize, share experiences, and ‘travel.’ This technology allows seniors to take their grandchildren to places where they grew up, tour Rome, or engage in shared experiences with other residents.
Digital Pen Pals
For seniors who have lost their friends or who don’t have grandchildren, digital pen pal programs can provide a great way to connect. Many of these programs pair seniors with young people who have lost their grandparents.
Some apps pair people with snail mail pen pals as well as ones that connect seniors through email, messaging, etc. Some seniors still prefer to send and receive physical letters and postcards, but the technology helps them find people to connect with. Pen pals are also a great way for seniors to bond with the world, as they can easily talk to people in other countries or continents.
Internet-Connected Smart Frames
Personal photos help make any place homely. Smart frames, which cycle through various photos, are great for smaller spaces.
Smart frames now connect to the Internet and can receive photos via email. They let family members send photos directly to their senior loved one’s smart frame. They can include pictures of a child’s graduation, vacation pictures (even before they get home), sporting events, etc. Families no longer need to print or transfer photos to a smart frame.
Virtual Classes
There are virtual classes for seniors in every field, from wellness to arts and crafts to book clubs. Virtual book clubs, for example, can use teleconferencing to allow a group to discuss a book as if they were there.
Group classes can help seniors connect with friends in other areas or find new ones with shared interests. They can also encourage physical and mental activity. One is also never too old to learn something new, and learning can stave off cognitive decline and depression.
Older adults are prone to isolation. If seniors feel lonely, technology can help them reconnect with family and friends, especially through video calls.
If you or your loved one needs extra help, especially with residential care, contact Silverbell Homestead today to discover the right elder care services for your family.