It does not take a science degree to understand that loneliness can take a toll on one’s health. When you become a senior adult and you become isolated and have very few friends, that more its effect on health is compounded. For years, there may have been much research and many studies conducted that prove that older people who are able to adjust to being solitary does not have that many problems with their health.
Embracing Internet technology
Not all seniors feel that adapting to technology and the Internet is necessary, but being computer savvy has been found to be quite beneficial to them. Continued studies have revealed that Internet usage among senior adults has increased significantly over the years.
There are about 43% of people ages 65 and over that are active in social media networks, which provide them with mental and physical health benefits. If they do not believe this, here are some reasons that can give their quality of life quite a boost.
Benefits of the Internet and social technology for adults
The American Association of Retired Persons said that seniors who are updated on Internet-related activities experience a positive impact on their lives, including health preservation, personal fulfillment, social connectedness, caregiver support, and functional capability. In the United States, there are about 6.7 million adults ages 65 and over who are still working. By 2018, the projection is that it will increase to 11.1 million. Most of these seniors are still actively working from home, taking advantage of modern technology to support themselves independently, without suffering the grind of commuting to and from the office daily.
Internet and social technology can stimulate the body and mind of seniors. They can be entertained by computer games and videos. Researchers are studying how doing online activities can increase cognitive longevity and boost the brain of elderly individuals. Polish scientists have also done research on elderly subjects ages between 65 and 75. They have found out the completing of a series of computer games were able to increase their sequencing abilities, expand their attention, and improve their memory. Virtual recreation programs that teach yoga and dance promote seniors’ participation in physical activities that improve their health and mobility.
As adults grow older, there is a tendency for them to be separated from friends and family. Their children will have their own families or move to other places. Friends may also do the same. Using social networking sites and emails are a good way to stay in touch easily. Moreover, speaking to family and friends face to face via a computer with a camera and Internet access has far greater value to people who are separated by long distances. Research results in various studies suggest that elderly people who spend some time online show a reduction in depression symptoms. Learn more about depression here: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/depression/.
Internet-based communication is considered as the most significant impact of computer and Internet technology of the social life of older adults. Many researchers think that older adults using social technology exhibited fewer chronic illnesses, symptoms of depression, and rate their health as better. The positive results of older adults using computer and Internet technology are increasing, which many scientists conducting researches on the subject, to implicitly prove that these modern tools can provide the elderly with better physical and mental health and longevity.
Broadband connection, which facilitates faster and better Internet access, makes social connectivity relevant to older adults. Some ISPs offer several broadband plan bundles that suit subscribers’ Internet activities and budgets. These plans make Internet access affordable and available for on-the-go individuals and families of all ages.
Photo credit: Senado Federal / mau76souz
Source: William Chopik, Andy Henion (Phys.org)
Editorial notice: This post has been sponsored.
