Social media good for older people’s health
Older people should use Facebook and other social media to help prevent their health declining, a study has found.
Researchers at the University of Exeter in England carried out the research among 65 to 95-year-olds and found that people who spent time online did not feel as lonely as others their age, which helps stop declining physical and mental health.
The study followed seniors from 31 residential care homes across the United Kingdom. Researchers noted those trained to use technology felt more self-competent, were more sociable and demonstrated improved cognitive abilities.
The project's leader, Dr Thomas Morton, said the findings highlighted how loneliness among older people can contribute to their poor health.
“Human beings are social animals, and it’s no surprise that we tend to do better when we have the capacity to connect with others.
“But what can be surprising is just how important social connections are to cognitive and physical health.
“People who are socially isolated or who experience loneliness are more vulnerable to disease and decline.”
Margaret Keohone, a participant of the study, said learning to navigate the internet “changed her life”.
“Having this training changes people's lives and opens up their worlds, invigorates their minds and for lots of us gives us a completely different way of recognising our worth as we age,” said Margaret Keohone.
“I was just slipping away into a slower way of life.”
Images: Getty