Social media sites such as Facebook and Gransnet are helping reduce the amount of isolation and loneliness felt by many elderly people.
Many elderly people who are willing to embrace technology find themselves quite confident in their use of computers. Many are finding Facebook a useful tool in communicating with like minded others, family and friends.
I recently taught a very lonely 75 year old how to use Facebook. Her initial approach to computing was ” I can’t do it” but she persevered.
Her quest to find information about Craig Busch,The Lion Man and his quest to raise big cats in safety. Her Facebook activity not only made her lots of new like minded friends but also led to her actually meeting him.
My Facebook interaction has introduced me to many elderly people who care for someone with dementia and many of them really appreciate the support they receive in the group Dementia Aware.
Gransnet is the social networking site for Britain’s 14 million grandparents. It was launched in May 2011 and its forums discuss news, culture, health, relationships, learning, food, gardening, memories and more. Discussion topics range from ageism in the NHS to coping with daughters-in-law; from childhood sweets and games to recovering from betrayal; from what the government should do about social care to the joys of winter and was described by the Telegraph as “a new dawn in grey power”.
Todays topics for discussion in the forums today ( written on 21/10/14) are
- Leather trousers, are they only for youngsters ?
- Paying for bags is it fair ?
- Fridge Freezers, Best Buy ?
Gransnet has grown from strength to strength since it started and attracts contributions from celebrities and professional writers. It has a legal advice section for the over 50’s and despite the name you don’t have to be a grandparent to join the site.
Leather trousers – only for youngsters?
Paying for bags – is it fair?
Fridge freezers – the best brand?
