Humans are inherently a social species. Mostly, anyway. We thrive on contact with other humans, and we generally don’t do too well when we’re alone for any length of time. Of course, there are exceptions; sometimes, we want a little “me time” to collect our thoughts or unplug from real life. Overall, though, we work best when we are socializing with others.

Sadly, as people age, many start experiencing health conditions and challenges that adversely affect their quality of life. Many of these conditions may contribute to social withdrawal and loneliness with potentially much more severe consequences. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that:

“Social isolation and loneliness have been linked to increased risk for

• Heart disease and stroke.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Depression and anxiety.
• Addiction.
• Suicidality and self-harm.
• Dementia.
• Earlier death.”

The following risk factors and causes of social isolation and loneliness are quoted by a National Institute on Aging report:

“Those who find themselves unexpectedly isolated due to the illness of a loved one, separation from friends or family, loss of mobility, worsening vision or hearing problems, disability, or lack of mobility or access to transportation, are at particular risk of loneliness and social isolation.

You also may be at greater risk if you:

• Live alone
• Can’t leave your home
• Had a major loss or life change, such as the death of a spouse or partner, or retirement
• Struggle with money
• Are a caregiver
• Have psychological or cognitive challenges or depression
• Have limited social support
• Have trouble hearing
• Live in a rural, unsafe, and/or hard-to-reach neighborhood
• Have language barriers where you live
• Experience age, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity discrimination where you live

·         Are not meaningfully engaged in activities or are feeling a lack of purpose.”

Several of these risk factors or causes are typically much more prevalent among older adults. Except in cases of severe cognitive decline or debilitating health conditions, the risks of social isolation and loneliness can be substantially reduced. We will discuss how you can harness technology to achieve this objective.

The Benefits of Socializing Online

Online social media provides opportunities for vulnerable people to maintain or establish social engagement without leaving their comfort zone. It allows them to communicate with family and friends near and far, build new relationships, and participate in hobbies or interests they enjoy. Video chatting has been shown to enhance cognitive abilities in older adults, with a New Scientist study finding that a 30-minute video call four times a week improved cognition in seniors at risk of Alzheimer’s.

Beyond cognitive benefits, research shows online socializing can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. A 2020 National Center for Biotechnology Information study found that 83% of seniors reported lower depression levels after joining online community groups. There is little doubt that social media and online communities give elderly adults access to social engagement that improves mental and physical well-being.

Choosing the Right Platform

There are dozens of online platforms available nowadays. They cater to many different audiences, some for quite specific niches. Many of them won’t match an older adult's abilities and interests, so it’s important to do some research. Several platforms are designed specifically for older adults, and others target a much broader user base. This senior living blog by The Arbor Company provides some useful resources for your research.

Let’s, however, have a brief look at some of the most popular platforms in each main category:

·           Stitch.net is a community platform for over-50s. It boasts a user base of over 150,000 and provides community connections, companionship, interest groups and group activities in a streamlined interface.

·           Facebook is the largest social network in the world, with over 3 billion monthly users. It is suitable for all ages and facilitates socializing with friends, family and like-minded people worldwide, either through direct connections or community and special-interest groups.

·           Skype and FaceTime are text or video chat platforms with built-in closed captioning to ensure hearing-impaired seniors don't miss conversations.

Look for sites with straightforward navigation, text size adjustment, voice activation, and user-friendly tutorials to make the experience positive. With the array of senior-tailored platforms now available, it's possible to find technology that matches almost any interest or ability level.

Staying Safe Online

While the internet opens up a world of connections and socializing opportunities, it is absolutely awash with hackers, scammers and clickbait. When setting up profiles, use secure access control such as two-factor authorization and randomly generated passwords. Talk to your patient or loved one about identifying common online scams like fake virus alerts and phishing emails to avoid financial fraud.

Install comprehensive security software with firewall and malware protection. Make sure they know how to check for https secure connections on websites. Consider setting up a family member as a co-administrator on accounts to help look out for suspicious activity. With some education on best practices, older adults can confidently benefit from online interactions while avoiding the risks.

Connect with Family and Communities

Video chatting platforms can strengthen family bonds across any distance, and group chats help relatives share special occasions and daily joys. Photo and video sharing keeps people connected to each other's lives. Various free messaging applications facilitate text messages, image sharing and video chatting. Technology removes obstacles to socializing and remaining an integral part of family life.

Online groups bring seniors with shared interests, hobbies, and experiences together. Niche forums provide more immersive connections to specific areas of interest like gardening, sports or genealogy research. Health condition communities offer support from others managing the same disease. Participating in multiple online groups provides well-rounded social connections. Look for active forums with engaged members and regular posts to avoid stagnant groups.

Other Online Activities and Challenges

Apart from staying socially connected, there are many options for online events, tutorials, discussion groups and games for mental and physical training or just for relaxation. Many of these applications are free, although some require watching advertisements every few minutes. This can become quite annoying after a while. However, given the available choice, just keep on trying until you find something interesting and enjoyable.

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. You’ll also find any number of memes depicting a child, barely out of kindergarten, sorting out a technology problem for a grandparent. Funny, but to some extent, very true. Adopting new technology comes with roadblocks for some older people. As a caregiver, set aside some time, especially in the early stages, to accompany your patient on their path of discovery. Take time to explain how to use the device and the applications and help set up online security precautions. Check in every so often to see if everything is okay and provide or arrange technical support whenever necessary. The social connections and enrichment gained will make the effort worthwhile.

Conclusion

Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional. There is some debate over who first said this. The author is irrelevant in this context; the expression is spot-on, though. Be not afraid of using technology to keep an older person young. Once they get the hang of it, they will embrace and enjoy it. And, the online socializing may help lighten your burden as a caregiver and buy you a little more “me time” to rest or to attend to your own care.

In closing, we at LL Medico understand the burdens of a caregiver, and we encourage you to harness all the available resources to make your role that little bit easier. For example, our Autoship feature allows you to place a single order for all your adult diapers, nutritional supplements and personal care items to be delivered at regular intervals so you never run out. Call us at (855) 422-4556 or email support@llmedico.com. We want to help!