{"id":3996,"date":"2018-05-16T10:02:29","date_gmt":"2018-05-16T14:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.equipmentlink.org\/blog\/?p=3996"},"modified":"2018-05-16T10:02:29","modified_gmt":"2018-05-16T14:02:29","slug":"6-online-activities-that-are-perfect-for-seniors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.equipmentlink.org\/blog\/?p=3996","title":{"rendered":"6 Online Activities That Are Perfect for Seniors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Contributed by Karen Weeks of Elder Wellness<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s senior citizens have an advantage that previous generations lacked: the Internet. With<\/p>\n

access to the countless resources available online, today\u2019s elderly can fight loneliness and<\/p>\n

cognitive decline even as their health and mobility become limited. Here are seven ways that<\/p>\n

seniors can socialize, learn new skills, and stay active, all from the comfort of home.<\/p>\n

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  1. Social Networks<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Social networks let seniors keep in touch with friends and family, see the latest pictures of<\/p>\n

    children and grandchildren, and play games and share in discussion with friends and<\/p>\n

    acquaintances. Social networks also have the benefit of being easy to use, making them a great<\/p>\n

    entry point for less tech-savvy seniors.<\/p>\n

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    1. Online Games<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Aging adults can keep their minds sharp with single-player online games like crosswords,<\/p>\n

      sudoku, and jigsaw puzzles, as well as \u201cbrain training\u201d games. Online multiplayer games provide<\/p>\n

      the same stimulation with the added benefit of a social element, although not all of them are<\/p>\n

      suitable for beginners. Check out this list for games<\/a> that are easy to learn.<\/p>\n

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      1. Online Music Lessons<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        According to National Geographic, playing an instrument<\/a> has the power to \u201cenhance and build<\/p>\n

        connections within the brain,\u201d even if you don\u2019t start playing until late in life. Online music<\/p>\n

        lessons are an excellent option for seniors who can\u2019t travel for in-person instruction. For seniors<\/p>\n

        with arthritis, woodwind instruments like the clarinet offer more pain-free playing than more<\/p>\n

        common instruments like the piano or guitar. Even if seniors have never picked up a clarinet in<\/p>\n

        their lives, they can find the right fit with an online clarinet buying guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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        1. Free College Courses<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          For seniors with a thirst for learning, free online courses are the perfect way to stay mentally<\/p>\n

          engaged in retirement. Whether they want to dabble in a diversity of subjects or pursue a<\/p>\n

          passion that was pushed aside during their career, seniors can find relevant courses through<\/p>\n

          websites like Coursera, Udemy, edX, and more. This rundown from Lifehack will help seniors<\/p>\n

          choose the best educational resource<\/a> for their needs.<\/p>\n

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          1. Fitness Videos<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Staying active is just as important for seniors as it is for younger adults. However, getting to the<\/p>\n

            gym isn\u2019t always easy for seniors, and they may feel too intimidated to go at all. Online workout<\/p>\n

            videos provide a great alternative to a gym membership. While there are many free exercise<\/p>\n

            videos to be found online, not all of them are appropriate for people with limited mobility. Heart<\/p>\n

            and Soul Fitness is a welcome exception, with dozens of free videos designed for seniors.<\/p>\n

                 6. Citizen Science<\/p>\n

            For older adults who are curious about the natural world, contributing to citizen science projects<\/p>\n

            is a fun way to explore interests and feel like a part of a broader community. Seniors can use<\/p>\n

            the Internet to report bird sightings, submit recordings of frog and toad calls or examine<\/p>\n

            microscopic images for interstellar dust<\/a>.<\/p>\n

            Retirement quickly becomes boring if you\u2019re not learning and doing, but the effects of age make<\/p>\n

            it difficult for many seniors to get out of the house. By making use of resources available online,<\/p>\n

            seniors can find stimulation and interaction no matter their disability status. These six<\/p>\n

            suggestions are just a taste of the possibilities. If the senior in your life has an interest that isn\u2019t<\/p>\n

            covered here, do a little digging\u2014you\u2019ll be amazed at what you can find online.<\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

            Seniors in Maryland who have trouble seeing the computer screen or using a computer keyboard or mouse should contact Maryland TAP to learn about different computer access methods and assistive technology that could make the computer easier to use! mdtap@mdtap.org<\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

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