More and more, seniors are turning to technology, from joining social media to reduce feelings of isolation to using their smart phone for event reminders and for navigating the Internet in search of information on any range of topics.
Here are seven popular apps for the tech-savvy senior in your life.
When the time comes that your aging loved one can no longer take care of herself in her own home, moving her into a facility will be one option. Whether she’s suffering from dementia or at a high risk of falling at home, moving her into a high quality assisted living facility will help keep her safe and ensure she has the help and support she needs to continue living as independently as possible.
Loneliness is a serious problem for some seniors, especially if they have mobility problems or health issues that make it hard to get out and about. Studies show that loneliness and feelings of isolation are linked to memory loss, stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure, among other problems. In fact, the AARP says that the health threat of loneliness and isolation is equivalent to smoking almost a pack of cigarettes a day.
The 65 and older set is the fastest growing demographic on social media, according to the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project. In 2013, more than 50 percent of people in that age group were on social media, compared to just 16 percent in 2000. Here are the top four reasons why seniors love Facebook.
Depression is a serious mental illness that takes a big toll on your quality of life. Depression is common among elderly Americans, but it manifests differently than in young people. Knowing the signs and symptoms of depression in the elderly can help you determine whether your aging loved one is suffering from this highly treatable condition.
Our middle years are busy with careers, kids, travel, and socializing, and it seems like there’s always something going on. But life tends to slow down after retirement, and for many seniors, it can lose its luster when they no longer have a specific, definable purpose in life.