Staying Connected Through Technology

To get through todays trying times, staying connected is crucial. That can be easier for younger people who grew up with the internet and todays modern communication devices, but it can be a challenge for seniors. Thankfully, most technology is designed to be easy to use. If youre a senior or know a senior who needs better ways to stay in touch, especially while isolating during COVID-19, here are some helpful technology options that make communication easy. Video chatting. Video chatting helps seniors feel closer to friends and family because they can see them. Zoom is a popular virtual meeting program that lets several people join the conversation. Seniors with a computer or other device can follow a link to join the group, and you can even use it for club meetings. For individual conversations, mobile apps like Facetime, Skype, WhatsApp, and others allow video calls for a fun way to stay in touch. Mobile app games. Games can be fun, and many have social elements like chat features that let seniors talk to friends, family, or other online players. Draw Something, which is like Pictionary, and Trivia Crack, a trivia game, let seniors play a fun game with others. Words with Friends is a turn-based Scrabble-type game that lets you challenge friends. There are thousands of mobile app games out there, so its easy to find something that friends or family members like to play. Social media. Many seniors enjoy Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest because they can see posts by friends and family members, as well as share thoughts and photos of their own. Loved ones dont seem so far away when you see what they are doing with their day on social media. Online photo albums. You can share photos directly with friends and family members with online photo albums like Google Photos, Flickr, Dropbox, and Shutterfly. Its a secure way to share memories and ideas that helps seniors feel closer to their loved ones. There are so many communication tools that help seniors and their friends and family stay connected with each other. Take time to explore the options with the seniors in your life and come up with some fun ways to communicate that let you all feel closer. Staying connected is important, and with a little help, seniors can use all the technology options available to stay in touch with friends and family. At Ashbridge Manor Senior Living, our senior living facilities and programs are designed to provide a healthy, active lifestyle in a friendly, caring community. When its time to transition to a senior living facility, give us a call and our professional staff members will make the transition easy. You can find us at 971 E. Lancaster Avenue in Downingtown, PA, call 610.269.8800, or contact us online for more information. Ask us about our move-in special! Ashbridge Manor is a safe, COVID-free senior living community.