Andrea Needham, Guest Author
Loneliness is a growing problem for seniors and can affect both their physical and mental health. In past generations, families lived close to each other and took care of their seniors. Now, with job opportunities scattered across the country and seniors themselves retiring to other states, your children and grandchildren can live thousands of miles away. Finding ways to build a network of people with similar interests is essential to living a fruitful life as you age.
Using Social Networks
Social networks great for staying in touch with distant friends and family. They also provide resources, such as topic-related groups and forums, to meet like-minded people right in your own community. Some of the best social networks for connecting to new people are:
- Facebook. Millions of people keep up with family and friends on Facebook timelines, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Facebook also has a large network of topical and local groups to meet people who share your passions. From art to Zen Buddhism, whatever your interest, there’s a group for you.
- Reddit. One of the big attractions for Reddit users is the opportunity for complete anonymity. You can have several accounts and there’s no need to even use an email address to join. Reddit houses a plethora of forums, called “subreddits,” on every subject under the sun and thousands of localities. While you can remain anonymous, there’s a direct messaging option where you can share personal information with other users if you so desire.
- Meetup. Meetup is a site where locals can form groups of like-minded individuals who meet in person on a regular basis. A Meetup group can be based on an interest or just be a get-together group for locals to meet new people.
Starting a Side Gig or New Business
If you’re not ready to give up working yet or need a little extra money to supplement your retirement income, there are other opportunities. These include part-time side gigs or even a second career, all abound on the internet.
It’s common for seniors to turn their lifelong hobbies into part-time businesses after retirement. Whether your passion is fashion, gardening, sewing, jewelry making, interior design, or thrift shopping, selling online is a popular pastime for seniors. Working online is also good if you have a condition or disability that prevents you from taking a traditional job.
If you need to hire someone with special expertise for your company, the internet is full of professional, capable freelancers looking for work through many freelance sites and job boards. For example, if you want a web presence for your business, you can hire a web designer to create a professional website. How much do web designers make? Be ready to pay between $15 and $30 per hour for a simple design. You’ll pay more for a complex design or for a designer with more experience and expertise.
Exploring Your Newfound Social Circles
The internet is a wonderful place with many resources for enhancing your social circle and staying involved in your golden years. Visit the Living to 100 Club for more ideas and resources.
