During the digital age, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, seniors have been able to stay connected to the people they love through social media. However, without adequate instruction, seniors may fall victim to online scams or fraud. Personal home care workers from Senior Home Care by Angels or tech-savvy family caregivers can give seniors the guidance and supervision they need to be safe online while staying connected to friends and family.
The Importance of Staying Connected
Seniors often feel isolated and lonely, which can lead to feelings of depression as well as other mental and physical conditions. Through social media, seniors can stay engaged with their loved ones as well as stay updated on events in their community. Studies have shown that seniors who live alone feel less lonely after being active on social media platforms. Using social media can also help seniors combat depression and help stimulate cognition.
The Dangers of Social Media
Many seniors are not as familiar with the online world as the younger generations are. In fact, seniors are especially vulnerable to online scams.
It is important for personal home care providers or family caregivers to make sure seniors using social media are aware of the following:
It is especially easy for seniors to fall victim to financial scams. Usually, these scams come in the form of messages, emails or adverts, which seem to portray a family member asking for money.
Seniors should be aware that social media platforms are run by algorithms that often show very subjective content and sometimes personalized messages. This creates a kind of “social media bubble” which means that users may not be exposed to very much information outside of this bubble.
- Anxiety and Lower Self-Esteem
Sadly, social media can make seniors feel unfulfilled and anxious. Platforms like Facebook or Instagram can create illusions that other people are happier and are more fulfilled, which can create feelings of loneliness and depression in seniors.
- Propaganda and Misinformation
It is important for seniors using social media to understand that news networks and politicians can post information that is untrue, or at least inaccurate. It is up to individuals to determine what information is useful and what information is false.
How Our Social Care Program Can Help
The best way to keep seniors safe from the risks posed on social media platforms is to hire a personal home care worker who can supervise your loved one’s activity online. At Senior Home Care by Angels, our Social Care program is specially designed to help seniors easily master social media and other digital tools so they can stay connected with the important people in their lives.
Caregivers from Senior Home Care by Angels can help by:
- Overseeing and Approving Online Transactions
Seniors who must make financial transactions on the internet should have safeguards in place. Allowing a trusted personal home care provider from Senior Home Care by Angels to approve transactions can ensure that seniors are not the victims of online scams.
- Enabling Privacy Settings and Blocking Ads
Many social media sites track the activity of users so they can create a more subjective advertising experience. However, this tracking can be disabled.
- Providing Social Interactions
While social media is a great way to stay connected with loved ones, it should never replace social interactions in the real world. If your loved one lives alone, a caregiver from Senior Home Care by Angels can help keep your loved one grounded and cared for offline.
To learn more, contact your nearest Senior Home Care by Angels agency today!