Social media can be a fantastic way for aging adults to stay in touch with the people they care about and share their interests with other people, too. However, if they haven’t used social media before, they can run into some difficulties. Spending time with companion care at home aides can help seniors to address issues related to loneliness and socialization and companion caregivers can also offer support using social media safely.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information
Sharing personal information, both their own and that of other people, on social media can be hazardous. Seniors may not realize what the privacy settings are on the various social media sites and think that they’re sharing information with a small group of people rather than the general public. Sharing information safely makes a huge difference.
Keep Profiles Private
It also helps to keep profiles as private as possible to avoid inadvertently sharing information too far and wide. Seniors should only accept friend requests from people that they already know in real life. Restricting friend lists to only people they already know makes it less likely that seniors fall victim to scammers, but there are situations where friends’ profiles get hacked or impersonated. Staying aware of that possibility does a lot to keep seniors safer online.
Stay Alert for Scammers
Scammers go out of their way to target seniors, especially on social media. They count on seniors being naive about how social media works so that they can take advantage of them. Giveaways and sweepstakes are common sources of scams via social media, so helping aging adults learn to recognize and identify a scam is incredibly important.
Don’t Send Money to Strangers
One way that loneliness can become extremely dangerous for seniors is through social media. Seniors who need and want companionship may go online and not know what to watch out for. As they meet people and spend time talking to them, they start to alleviate loneliness and build relationships. If they’re building relationships with unscrupulous people, they may find that these new friends start asking for money or information that allows access to bank accounts and credit cards.
Get Help Socializing Safely
Seniors who are spending time with companion care at home may be less likely to fall victim to some of the hazards of social media scams. That’s because they’re better able to meet their social needs safely and home care providers can be around to bounce ideas off of before seniors do something they might regret. Companion caregivers aren’t there to tell seniors what to do or to police their social media usage, but they can offer emotional support and let seniors know if they see something that appears unsafe.
Social media is a big part of living in modern society, so it is important for aging adults to know how to navigate it safely. Companion care at home can be there to offer additional emotional support and help seniors feel less lonely, especially if that loneliness could lead to bigger problems.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home Services in Framingham MA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Care Resolutions, Inc. today at (508) 906-5572
CARE Resolutions, Inc. provides quality 24-Hour Home Care for seniors and families in Walpole, Dover, Wellesley, Framingham, Norfolk, Quincy, Weston, Medfield, Boston, Sherborn MA, and surrounding areas.
- Tips for Seniors Who Want to Try Social Media - April 7, 2025
- How Can Seniors Transition Home from the Hospital Smoothly? - March 19, 2025
- Can Seniors Get Fit and Stay Active with Chronic Health Issues? - March 6, 2025
