Seniors and Social Media: Staying in Touch with Family and Friends

Getting older is a fact of life and a blessing many people hope to experience. However, as people age, they face new challenges related to their health, finances, and social lives. Children move away, your social circle gradually shrinks, and you may feel isolated. 

It’s even worse when you move to a new city or retirement community where you don’t know anyone. The good news is that there’s no need to feel isolated or alone. Social media can help seniors stay in touch with family and friends, connect with others who share their interests, and even make new friends. How do you achieve this?

Share Photos and Memories on Social Media

An excellent way seniors can stay connected to their loved ones is by sharing photos and memories on social media. It keeps everyone updated on what’s going on in your life. Together, you can reminisce about past experiences. 

Sending current photos lets your loved ones see how you’re doing and what you’ve been up to. You can check out Facetune for help enhancing each photo. You’ll end up with great pictures for your social media posts. Encourage them to also share their photos with you to stay up-to-date on their lives.

Video Chat Often

Video chat is the next best thing to being there in person. Seeing each other’s faces and talking is an excellent way to catch up and connect. You experience the person’s energy, see their reactions and have a more natural conversation. You learn much about a person when seeing their facial expressions and body language. 

Schedule a few minutes every week to chat with your family and friends. Choose a day and time when you know you’ll have no interruptions. The best part is, it doesn’t cost much to video chat.

Consider a Joint Social Media Group

Another way to connect with your loved ones is by starting or joining a collaborative social media group. It’s perfect for sharing recipes, articles of interest, family news, and fun photos. 

You can also join groups related to your hobbies or interests. You’ll make new friends who share your passions, and it’s a great way to showcase your strengths. Also, just following up on what your loved ones are posting is a way of staying connected. Like, comment, and share their posts to let them know you’re thinking about them.

To keep safe while on social media, ensure you only share information with people you know and trust. Don’t post personal information, such as your address or phone number. 

Be cautious about the photos you post. Once something is online, it’s there forever. If you have concerns, talk to your family and friends about what’s appropriate to share. Other ways to stay safe are:

  • Use strong passwords for all your accounts
  • Don’t use public Wi-Fi to access your accounts
  • Be careful about the links you click on
  • Keep your software up-to-date
  • Log out of your accounts when you finish using them

Live Stream the Important Moments

Did you know you can live stream your life’s most special moments? Social media lets you share these occasions with your loved ones as they happen, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or holiday celebration. It’s the next best thing to being there in person. 

Live streaming works best for those with family and friends living in different parts of the world. They can all watch and celebrate the event with you, even if they can’t be there in person.

Create Balance

However, as much as social media is an excellent way to stay connected, it’s also important to have a life offline. Make sure you’re getting enough exercise, eating healthy, and spending time with people in person. Plan to meet with family and friends for lunch, coffee, or a walk in the park. Create a balance between your online and offline life.