Maybe it’s because we ourselves are getting older, but grandparents seem to be getting cooler and cooler these days. And the coolest ones are those who embrace new technologies rather than shy away from it.
But beyond the cool factor, there are actual health, social and emotional benefits to staying connected and keeping up with the latest technology. Many studies have shown that it can even reduce depression by 20%.
When grandparents live out of town, which is the case for a lot of families, they can still feel included in their grandchildren’s daily lives. They can watch them play, laugh and grow on a daily basis through Skype, Facetime, and photo and video sharing applications like Locket. These connections are lot more meaningful than those wallet-sized awkward class pictures they used to get once a year.
This way, even though they are far away, they still feel included and a part of everything. Plus, how adorable is it when you get forwards from your Grandma?!
For more information on the benefits of keeping the elderly online and connected, click on the following links.
http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2014/internet-use-can-help-ward-off-depression-among-elderly/
