Social connection is vital to healthy aging. It’s been proven to positively impact mental health, boost the immune system, stimulate cognitive functioning, which in turn lowers your risk of dementia, and even lower blood pressure. Good friends aren’t just good for a laugh. Those endorphin-boosting moments help energize you to make healthier choices and live a full life.
However, in-person connection isn’t always possible: family may live far away, or friends may have moved out of the neighbourhood. That’s where the positive power of technology can help. When utilized for authentic connection, digital social interaction is a valuable way to reduce isolation in older adults.
You can also search out old high school classmates and send a friend request to reconnect after all these years. The Groups function lets you find people who share your interests and track local events that may interest you.
Whenever you create an online account, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the rules and safety settings, so that you can create real boundaries through security measures. You decide who’s allowed to friend you, view your profile, and see or send you messages.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re stumped! Technology is ever-evolving, and to be safely virtually connected, ask a family member to set you up and check your settings. Take notes, so you know what to do next time.
It’s also important to establish emotional boundaries. Keep in mind that anything you post on Facebook, for example, is open to comments from the people you’ve allowed to see your profile. And people have opinions.
Once you’re all set up, the fun begins! Let your friends and family know you’re online, and set up a date.
Come get a sense of our food, friendliness, and our wealth of activities. We’d love to show you around our gracious spaces and then treat you to lunch.
