Online Ways to Keep in Touch with Aging Relatives

Q1 – What are the benefits of using the internet to stay in touch?

A1 – Various online applications allow families and friends to stay in touch year-round without encountering the costs of long-distance phone calls or mail. It’s also a quick and easy way to give loved ones access into exactly what’s happening in your life.

Q2 – Can seniors use the internet to stay in touch, too?

A2 – Seniors’ internet use is rapidly growing. They are becoming more apt with social networking, email and basic web surfing. Seniors who have problems with hearing over the phone, may find it easier to communicate through email or other fast, written methods.

Q3 – Can families share pictures online?

A3 – There are many free online applications that allow users to upload pictures to their photo albums. Flickr, Yahoo! Photos and Facebook are just a few of the masses. These sites give users the option to notify family and friends by email when they have uploaded new photos. These applications give seniors the chance to see exactly what’s happening in the lives of their children and grandchildren soon after they’ve occurred.

Q4 – It becomes expensive to call my mom long distance as often as I’d like; are there any ways to communicate verbally online for free?

A4 – Two major options are Podcasts or applications that offer free live calling services. Mypodcast.com and Podomatic.com are two easy to use, free sites that let people record their own messages which can be downloaded online, and listened to using a media player, MP3 player or other audio device. Skype is a popular application that lets people talk online using the microphones on their computers; the best part is that it’s free so it doesn’t matter where each party lives.

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Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors an alternative to a nursing home. Call 602.588.7725 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.