People are hardwired for connection. We need to stay in touch with our loved ones no matter where we live or what we do. Good communication has a positive impact on our physical and mental health, so it’s very important to keep it active. According to a research paper published by Mental Health America (MHA), good social connections improve health, increase happiness and lengthen life expectancy. The positive correlation between social interaction and the well-being of seniors is obvious.
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Unfortunately, staying in touch with our loved ones is tough during this period. Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, visiting parents or grandparents is difficult and risky. This leads to communication problems and seniors may feel isolated and lonely. Social distancing has created a variety of communication issues, but technology can help us keep in touch with our loved ones. Here’s how:
#1 – Use social media platforms
Facebook is the best platform to keep in touch with parents or grandparents. According to a report published by the Pew Research Center, seniors aged 65 and older are the fastest-growing demographic on Facebook. This group has grown 11 percent from 2018 to 2019, while millennial users only increased by 2 percent. There are a lot of seniors on Facebook, and the primary reason is the platform’s popularity – almost 70 percent of Americans have a Facebook profile. This means sharing photos, videos, or chatting with friends and family much easier.
All you have to do is search for a person in the search bar, send a friend request, or join groups or events. The platform also has a live-video feature, voice chat, and phone call tools.
#2 – Join an online community
The social media environment has evolved tremendously over the last decade. There are dozens of social media platforms to choose from and a variety of online communities to join. These platforms can help seniors stay in touch with others who share similar interests. For instance, there are online groups where you can talk and share opinions on a variety of topics, from crafts and hobbies to theater, film, and television, but also sports, history, arts, and countless more. Similarly, small local groups focused on a specific activity or club are also present. These include hobbyist groups, family circles and groups, high-school graduating classes, or arts and crafts groups.
Click here to learn more about in-home services for seniors in Seminole. We provide the best home health care for seniors in Tampa.
#3 – Use video calls vs. regular phone calls
Virtually all modern communication devices – smartphones, tablets, desktop computers, and laptops have webcams that let users make video calls for free. Participants on both ends can physically see who they are talking to during the call, improving communication immensely. Various video-call services are also free of charge, such as FaceTime, Skype, and Google Hangouts. These services work anywhere, as long as you have a good internet connection.
Video calls are great ways to communicate with your loved ones as they add a new layer to your conversations. Video calls make the experience special and help you communicate non-verbally much easier. Essentially, you see the person, so communication can be more complex. What’s more, video calls let you organize family meetings, where everyone can participate, see and hear each other, even if they are across the country. This is a major advantage for seniors who have adult grandchildren, as you can see how everyone is doing by seeing how they look like, but also how they sound like. Of course, you can also talk to the caregiver during the same video call.
#4 – Using the right apps
There are thousands of apps designed for senior users. These apps help both seniors and caregivers in a variety of ways. For instance, you can use the smartphone to track medication, monitor vital signs like respiration and heart rate, but also keep track of their location. Although there are a lot of different apps to choose from, try to choose apps that focus on a few basic functions. Go to the appropriate store (Google’s Google Play – for Android phones or Apple’s App Store – for iOS phones) and choose the app that does exactly what you are looking for. Make sure you check reviews and try it for a few days before using it.
Apps can also gather information about the user. This information can then be sent to caregivers, family, or doctors. For example, apps can gather data about a senior’s medical condition, mobility, and the medication administered. Apps also include geolocation features, so you know precisely where your parent or grandparent is at any given time.
Apps are amazing entertainment tools for seniors. According to a recent study, seniors often prefer to spend time reading or pursuing religious activities. Many apps are designed to help seniors stay informed, read news, watch television shows, read books or attend various virtual religious events.
Here are some of the most popular apps for seniors:
- Luminosity – free for basic plans – the perfect tool to train your brain
- Skype – free for basic plans – the ideal tool to keep in touch with your loved ones
- Zoom – free for basic plans – an amazing video-call app to keep in touch with parents and grandparents
- Pandora – free – the best music app
- Goodreads – free – book reviews and free books
- WebMD – free – free medical guides and resources
- MediSafe Medication Reminder – free – the ideal app for medication scheduling
- Readeo – $9.99 per month for full access – lets you have virtual story time with grandchildren; you can read more than 150 children’s books over video chat
Click here to learn more about in-home services for seniors in Seminole. We provide the best home health care for seniors in Tampa.
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