Social media isn’t just for the younger generations. Seniors can use social media to reconnect with old friends and avoid the negative emotions that sometimes come with living alone. As your aging loved one gets ready to explore how technology enhances social interactions, he or she can use the following strategies to get the most out of making new connections.
Start Simple
With so many social media platforms available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. If your loved one is completely new to social media, start small with one of the major platforms. Choosing to focus on building only one profile allows your loved one to put more effort into it.
Interacting with others via social media is just one of the many ways seniors can boost their mental health and enjoy a high quality of life. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care families can rely on. All of our caregivers are bonded, licensed, and insured, there are no hidden fees, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.
Learn How to Use Privacy Settings
Although the news is filled with stories about hackers, most personal information can be protected through the proper use of privacy settings on social media accounts. Make sure to immediately set up this part of the account before your loved one begins to interact with other people. Privacy settings stop people your loved one doesn’t know from accessing his or her information, and it can also give your loved one control over which members of his or her friends list can see certain posts.
If you’re concerned about your loved one’s safety while aging in place, consider hiring a professional caregiver to spend time with him or her. When searching for reliable Lincoln senior home care agencies, families want to know their senior loved ones will be well taken care of. At Home Care Assistance, our expertly trained caregivers are available around the clock to assist with tasks around the house, provide transportation to medical appointments and social events, and much more.
Be Selective with Interactions
Make sure your loved one doesn’t share too much with the wrong people. It’s also possible to lose track of time on social media to the point of forgetting about other responsibilities. For this reason, it’s best to pick a few people your loved one prefers to interact with regularly at first. Over time, your loved one can add more people to this list, but this strategy can help him or her keep everything straight without feeling obligated to respond to every message.
Ask for Permission Before Sharing
Social media has become the new way for seniors to share photos of their favorite activities and family members. However, not everyone wants their information being posted online. Make sure your loved one asks the other people in a picture for permission before posting it publicly. This is especially important if your loved one plans to put up a few pictures of the grandkids. Your loved one may also want to use caution when announcing news to others.
Make Sure to Respond to Others
Social media only gives back what people put into it. Once your loved one has an account set up, he or she should interact with the other people on the platform. Your loved one can share a message or picture and respond to messages as well. By being an active participant in conversations, your loved one can look forward to getting the most out of this new method of communication.
Using social media can be a great way to help your loved one socialize and stay connected with the outside world. However, if your parent needs in-person social engagement, consider hiring a professional caregiver. For families living in Lincoln, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home. Trust Home Care Assistance to provide high-quality compassionate professional care for your loved one. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737.