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.

4 reasons older generations have embraced social networking:

1. To stay in touch – with all generations of family online on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and more, seniors can stay connected to their loved ones through written communication, photo sharing and the other features that these sites offer

2. Bridging the generational gap – connecting online with grandchildren and younger generations of the family can bring seniors closer to their loved ones of shared interests. It doesn’t even have to be through traditional social networking sites, but through games using video game platforms like the Nintendo Wii that allow players from different locations to play together

3. An easy way to meet people – especially later in life, seniors might have a harder time making new friends or seeking support to deal with their aging issues. But, social networks make for a risk-free meeting place

4. Communication without limitations – as seniors get older, they might deal with hearing problems which make it challenging to talk on the phone, or other issues that inhibit their ability to communicate. By getting online, there are methods of communication that work for almost everyone

Via: AARP Bulletin Today

Nursing Home Care Greater Phoenix & Nursing Home Care Central Phoenix gives Phoenix elders and seniors an alternative to a nursing home. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.