The internet has provided a welcome connection to the outside world for people of all ages, but particularly for those who spend more time at home as they finder it harder get out and about. And that connection has become even more important during the pandemic.
Impact of Covid
The Covid pandemic has presented new challenges for seniors who were already housebound to some extent, but who then had to face the isolation of not receiving visits from family and friends. And television only offered a small value in comparison. They now needed to be connected to the outside world and their loved ones in new ways.
Fortunately, many seniors have computers, laptops, and mobile devices which they have become accustomed to using. Huge numbers are already on Facebook, for example, and enjoy reading posts from their communities, commenting, and contributing posts of their own. They are comfortable in this realm of “connectivity”. It is a way for parents and grandparents to keep up with their children and grandchildren, not to mention their friends.
Given their desire to stay “connected” in visual ways, it’s important to think about apps that they can use to do just that. Here are five of them.
Facebook Messenger
This is perhaps the most popular apps with seniors. Many have had experience with Facebook for years and are fully comfortable using it. Their family members and friends are parts of their Facebook communities, and it is easy to keep in touch.
Facebook Messenger may be an app that they have not used, but it is versatile, easy to install, and is compatible with all conceivable devices – PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, and both Android and iOS.
Messenger has both an audio and a visual call feature. Once installed, the user can use either or both at the same time, on any device, as long as the person being called is also on Messenger. The senior may need some help installing the app, but it is quite simple. Usually, one quick demonstration is all that a senior needs to begin using it. Read more