How to Keep In Touch With Family in Retirement
Nifty Tech Tools Close the Distance Gap Between Kids and Grandkids
Apr 15, 2009
In the not-so-distant past, people generally stayed in their hometown and eventually began raising a family of their own. Whether passing on the family farm or working in a factory, moving to another city was simply not an option. The jobs were in town, and so was family; thus no reason to even consider a move elsewhere.
However, today is a different story and families are more dispersed. While it may seem difficult to keep in touch with kids and grandkids who are separated by distance, modern technology has made it fast and easy to connect to family 24/7. And, the things one can do with this technology are quite surprising.
Computers 101 for Seniors
Because of the rapid pace of technological progress these days, senior citizens would most certainly benefit from learning how to use a computer. Basics including how to operate a mouse, how to navigate windows, how to use the internet, and how to use e-mail are critical for keeping in touch with distant family. Public libraries often hold such classes for free. Seniors may also benefit from online courses or even community college classes on how to operate a computer.
Ways to Keep in Touch With Family During Retirement
The traditional way of keeping in touch with family long-distance is through regular phone calls and letters through the mail. Many seniors prefer these methods of communication for their more personal touch, and indeed these methods should not be forgotten altogether. Other ways to keep in touch with distant family during retirement include
- E-mail. Not only does e-mail save paper, but it is also much faster than sending a letter through the mail. Rather than 3-4 days, the e-mail arrives in the recipient’s inbox in 3-4 seconds. Then it’s up to the recipient to check his or her e-mail and read the note. Using e-mail, family members can also share pictures, videos, and special events.
- Online social networking. Social networking on the internet has become wildly popular in recent years. Online social sites including MySpace and Facebook provide a fun way to keep in touch with distant family. Users can write blogs, notes, post and share pictures, share videos, update their status daily, and play interactive games. If people are concerned about privacy, virtually all online social networking websites allow users to set their profile to private.
- Online blogging. For individuals, blogging on the internet is simply a means of creating a personal diary of sorts. Seniors can blog about their day, write travel updates, or write updates on current projects. Often times blogs are incorporated into social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook. Family members can comment on blogs and share pictures and videos. The blogging website Twitter has become popular in recent days due to its simplicity and ease of use.
Bottom Line on Keeping in Touch With Distant Family in Retirement
Bottom line, keeping in touch with family is far easier and faster for seniors than it was in the past. With modern technology, family members can share pictures, videos, status updates, blogs, notes, and e-mails within seconds rather than days or weeks. With a little education on how to use a computer, senior citizens can enjoy an entirely new world of fast and easy communication with family members who may be living hundreds or even thousands of miles away.
See related articles, “How to Keep the Mind Sharp During Retirement,” “How to Deal With the Emotion of Retirement," and "Best Towns for Baby Boomer Retirements.”
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