Senior Surfing 101, a Local Program Teaches Older Americans How to Get Plugged In
Seniors learn Facebook, Skype and Texting with New In-Home Service
(August 18, 2015) – It’s not just children going back to school these days. Local seniors are learning to text/Skype and use Facebook with an in-home service that teaches them how to stay in touch with family and friends worldwide.
Visiting Angels, one of the nation’s largest in-home senior care companies with an office in our area started the “Senior Surfing 101” program to help its clients learn to surf the net. Caregivers go into seniors’ homes to teach tech – everything from text messaging and Skype to Facebook and the Internet. The program is part of Visiting Angels’ larger Life Care Navigation© which assists families to plan for different life stages that helps seniors socially connect and engage, cope with loss, and understand life changes.
Senior Skype
Skype played a vital role in 72-year-old Kathryn’s life when she moved to Florida, leaving her son behind in Washington state. Kathryn’s Visiting Angels caregiver helped her move cross-country, taught her how to Skype and helped her create a Facebook page – just in time for the birth of her new granddaughter, Kate, in Washington!
“Because of this program, I was able to experience two of the greatest joys in life – becoming a grandmother and seeing my son become a new father,” says Kathryn. “Skyping and Facebooking with my son and his family are now a normal part of my life. It helps me feel like I’m still an important part of their lives even though I’m miles and miles away.”
Log On to Battle Blues:
The Visiting Angels “Senior Surfing 101” program also helps older Americans battle depression. One fourth of all seniors over the age of 65 suffer from depression.
Recent studies show:
Seniors who surf the internet can reduce depression by 20 percent.*
A University of Arizona study finds seniors who use Facebook showed a 25 percent improvement in mental “updating” skills - essentially improving their working memory.
Another study shows seniors who visit social networking sites like Facebook have a positive emotional experience when measured by breathing rates, brain stimulation and pupil dilation.**
“With our Senior Care Program we identify all the stages of life so we can care for seniors in a holistic way – care for their mind, body and spirit. These social connections play an important role in helping seniors heal from loss, validate the merit in their lives, and allow them to live comfortably in their own homes,” says Visiting Angels CEO Larry Meigs. “We created Senior Surfing 101 as part of the program because we discovered when seniors reach out to family and friends with a text or through Facebook, they make immediate connections. This makes them feel in touch with their loved ones and less isolated. They often want to write a letter, but good luck getting the grandkids to write back. Send a text though, and those grandkids will respond right away. They’re learning new technology and that stimulates their minds and keeps them thinking. They crave learning, and now we’ve brought the classroom right into their homes.”
Visiting Angels: Senior Surfing 101
Angels teach seniors how to:
Use a cell phone, text and send e-mail
Skype or use Face Time
Create a Facebook page/account and interact with family and friends
Log in, shop online or research information on a search engine
Other Visiting Angels services include helping seniors with light house work, medication reminders, bathing, cooking, transportation and socialization.
We’re happy to set up interviews with local caregivers/senior care experts and possibly seniors. This story could be a fun element for your back-to-school coverage.
*Washington, D.C. based Phoenix Center
** journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
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Consider This:
Nearly 54 percent of seniors over the age of 65 are using the internet
1 in 3 seniors over the age of 77 are turning to the internet to stay connected
1 in 3 online seniors use social networking sites such as Facebook or LinkedIn
Nearly 9 in 10 online seniors use email
About Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services:
Visiting Angels began franchising in 1998 in the Philadelphia, PA area. Today, Visiting Angels has more than 500 private duty agencies throughout the United States. Visiting Angels agencies employ only experienced caregivers and conduct the most comprehensive background screenings to ensure that their caregivers meet or exceed the company’s high standards for a variety of care services. Senior Surfing 101 is a component of the Visiting Angels’ Life Care Navigation program aimed at providing a holistic plan for each senior that includes both social and medical components. For companion care, Alzheimer’s care, Dementia care and the country’s best Palliative Care program, make Visiting Angels your choice in senior homecare. For more information on Visiting Angels or to find a location near you, please visit www.VisitingAngels.com.
