June 30 is social media day. When used properly, safely, and with restraint, social media can be a wonderful place for many people to connect, share interests, and find friendships. If you have a senior loved one, they might find social media as a great way to reduce loneliness, gather knowledge, and entertain themselves.
While parents often think about and have discussions with their children about how to use social media wisely, many people forget to share that same knowledge with their elderly parents. It doesn’t seem like the typical elder care process you’re used to giving your loved one. But knowing the basics of social media safety can help your loved one enjoy without putting herself at risk.
Let’s look at just a few talking points you should go over with your loved one who wishes to use sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
Don’t Share Too Much Personal Information
While using your real name is fine (and helpful if someone your loved one knows is looking to find them on social media and connect), they should not share anything more personal. Addresses and phone numbers should not be shared, as well as personal info like vacations. This can take a bit of getting used to because a friendly conversation can suddenly have your loved one sharing information that’s best kept offline. Remind her daily that everything on the internet stays there forever.
Don’t Believe Everything She Reads
Social media is filled with individuals providing false facts to promote their beliefs, scams, and other agendas. Even if it looks official, remind your loved one to fact-check anything she reads before sharing it or acting on it in some way like donating. Having her elder care provider fact-check posts she reads is one way they can help her navigate social media safely.
Don’t Spend Too Much Time On Social Media
While social media can be entertaining, it should be a small part of your loved one’s day, not the majority of it. Your elder care provider can help your loved one set up timers on her phone so that she isn’t on it too much scrolling through story after story. If using a laptop, a physical timer that goes off after a short period is a good way to remind your loved one that she’s been on the internet long enough for the day.
Don’t Click Those Links
Remind your loved one that links can have viruses that will infect her device, so she should never click a link unless she is 100% sure of the source.
Finally, don’t use the same password everywhere. Knowing multiple passwords can be difficult, but helping your loved one manage strong passwords can help keep her safe. On platforms that offer two-step authentication, have her set that up so that if anyone tries to hack her account, it’ll reduce the likelihood of them succeeding.
Even if your loved one is already on social media, June 30 is a great day to review these safety precautions with her.
For more information about how caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents stay in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable Elder Care in Coronado, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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