The Internet, Social Media & The Elderly

Social media are not the exclusive domain of the younger generation–many older adults have enthusiastically adopted it to keep up with the times as well as their old acquaintances and younger family members. According to the Pew Research Center, Internet use among those 65 and older grew 150 percent between 2009 and 2011, the largest growth in a demographic group. Furthermore, their 2012 study showed that of those that go online, 71 percent do so daily and 34 percent use social media. The elderly use these tools to bridge the geographic gap between them and their loved ones far away and as a way to re-connect with friends from a far off time. Studies show that the Internet has become an important portal for reducing isolation, loneliness and other depressive symptoms. Seniors emphasize the informational and educational aspects of the Internet using it in an encyclopedic fashion to visit government sites or research financial issues. This gateway to the outside world is critical once the elderly become homebound. While teens have moved on from Facebook, the older generation has found that it serves them quite well. Seniors have discovered that Skyping is a great way to bring relatives from faraway destinations right into their living rooms.

Source/more: Huffington Post

David Wingate is an elder law attorney at the Elder Law Office of David Wingate, LLC. The elder law office services clients with powers of attorneys, living wills, Wills, Trusts, Medicaid and asset protection. The Elder Law office has locations in Frederick and Montgomery Counties, Maryland.