Social connection is the secret ingredient to healthy aging. It’s more than just a nice feeling. It’s actually science-backed! It’s been proven to positively impact mental health, boost the immune system, stimulate cognitive functioning which in turn lowers your risk of dementia, and even lowers blood pressure. Those warm and fuzzy feelings you get around good friends aren’t just good for a laugh. Those endorphin-boosting moments help energize you to make healthier choices and live a full life.
But what do you do when you can’t always connect with your dear ones in person?
Family could live far away, friends might have moved away, or health and mobility issues can make it hard to travel. Fortunately, we live in a time where technology can help us get through those gaps. Seniors can stay socially active, mentally sharp, and emotionally fulfilled from the comfort of their own homes if they use digital technologies wisely.
Let’s look at five easy and exciting ways to use technology to remain in touch, as well as some advice on how to stay safe and confident online.
5 Ways to Use Technology to Connect Online
Let’s speak about why connection is so crucial before we get into the “how.”
Research shows that older people who keep socially active have a better quality of life, feel better emotionally, and even live longer. On the other hand, being alone can make you more likely to get depressed, lose your mind, and have other health problems.
That’s why it’s so important to take care of your relationships, whether they’re in person or online, as you become older. A quick phone call, a video conference, or even sending a hilarious meme can make a tremendous difference.
1. Get back in touch and share on social media
Facebook is a classic, so let’s start there!
Facebook is a great choice for seniors because it is a well-known online place to share images, updates, and videos, and it also has a messaging feature for more private conversations. It’s a rather safe environment, especially since users can configure their privacy settings so that only people they know can enter.
You may even look up old friends and classmates from high school and send them a friend request to reconnect after all these years! Also, Facebook features Groups, which let you find people who share your interests and keep track of local events that might interest you.
Most importantly, spend a few minutes looking at Facebook’s “Privacy Checkup” function. It shows you simple actions to take to protect your profile, so you can connect with confidence.
2. Use video messaging apps to stay in touch Just like Marco Polo
There are times when text messages don’t convey the warmth of a smile or a familiar voice. Marco Polo is a video messaging program that enables you to transmit brief video clips back and forth. It’s like a modern-day walkie-talkie!
Marco Polo doesn’t require both persons to be online at the same time, unlike regular video calls. You can record your message whenever you like, and your loved one can listen to it later. This is great for families who live in various time zones or have hectic lives.
It’s easy and intimate, which makes it a great method to stay close to people, even from a distance. It’s also a terrific method to stay in touch with siblings, grandchildren, or your friends because you can talk to more than one person at a time.
3. Use FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype to talk to people in person
Seeing the face of someone you love can make you feel better. With just a tap, video calls make it happen!
Imagine enjoying your morning coffee with your daughter in another city, attending a virtual birthday party, or catching up with friends over the weekend, all through the screen. It’s an effortless way to turn distance into connection.
While FaceTime is specific to Apple iOS devices and is just like picking up the phone except you get to see the person, Zoom and Skype are similar with the added benefit of scheduled meeting times, available on multiple platforms. All three also support audio calls, and can host groups so multiple people from various places can join in so everyone can stay virtually connected.
Oh, and the best part?
They’re all free to use!
4. Have a Virtual Movie Night with Teleparty
Have a movie night with faraway friends with Teleparty, which allows you to synchronize your video and take part in group chats on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime.
Here’s how it works. Choose a movie or show you and your friends like on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, or Amazon Prime. Start a “party” in the Teleparty browser extension. Invite more friends or family to join if you like. Now, watch together and chat in real time!
It’s a fun and interactive method to bring back the atmosphere of a cozy movie night, even if you’re far away. Get some popcorn, a blanket, and get ready to spend some time together online.
5. Armchair Adventures: Go on travelling the world from the comfort of your own home!
Who says you have to leave home to explore the world?
Armchair travel is an educational way to explore the world from home, and if mobility or other health reasons prevent actual travel, the power of video technology allows you to wander through gardens, national parks, zoos, and even museums and cultural festivals around the world from the comfort and safety of your living room.
Platforms like YouTube, Google Arts & Culture, and virtual museum tours make it easy to explore global landmarks, national parks, and art galleries from your tablet or computer.
Here are some ideas to get you going: Take a virtual walk around the Palace of Versailles in France. Visit the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. You can watch live streams from the Monterey Bay Aquarium or the San Diego Zoo. You can go to a virtual concert or cultural festival on YouTube.
This is a great method for seniors who love learning or remembering trips they’ve taken to keep that spirit of inquiry and wonder alive. It’s a real pleasure for the mind and spirit and very fulfilling.
3 Simple Tips for Safely Connecting in the Digital World
While technology opens doors to connection, it’s equally important to stay safe and emotionally grounded online. Here are a few gentle reminders:
1. Learn the Basics of Online Safety
Whenever you create an online account, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the rules and safety settings, so that you can create real boundaries through security measures on who’s allowed to friend you, view your profile, etc. You can also familiarize yourself with our five steps to smartphone safety.
2. Ask for Help When You Need It
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re stumped!
Technology is ever-evolving and even the most tech-savvy people get stuck sometimes. Don’t hesitate to ask a family member, friend, or team members at your senior living community for help setting things up.
You can even write down the steps or keep a small “tech notebook” with your notes and passwords for easy reference later.
3. Protect Your Emotional Well-Being
Online spaces can be full of joy and connection, but they can also invite differing opinions and negativity. It’s also important to establish emotional boundaries. Keep in mind that anything you post on Facebook, for example, is open to commenting from the people you’ve allowed to see your profile. And people have opinions.
The Power of Connection, Online and Beyond
Whether it’s sharing a laugh over a video call, catching up through Facebook posts, or traveling virtually across the globe, technology can help seniors stay connected, inspired, and engaged. It’s not about replacing in-person moments, it’s about adding more ways to nurture the relationships that matter most.
Once you’re all set up, the fun begins! Let your friends and family know you’re online, and set up a date for a virtual coffee chat, organize a trivia night, or plan a weekly “tech time” with your grandkids.
Because at the end of the day, it’s connection, not distance, that keeps us young at heart.
