Staying Connected in Retirement

 One of the first things I noticed when I retired (after I got through sleeping for days) was that I had lost quite a lot of my social support system.  Most of my friends and acquaintances were work related and by retiring, I seemingly lost them.  I still had my family, of course, and I still had friends that were not from my job; however, the bulk of my relationships simply vanished into thin air upon retiring.  What a shocker.

Now, I am a military brat and I am quite used to starting over all the time.  We moved every 2 years in my childhood (and I don't mean down the street) and so every 2 years I had to make new friends and get re-established at a new school.  It was troublesome, but in the long run, I believe it made me very resilient.

I understand there are many, many people who have lived and worked in the very same place their entire lives.  For those, I would hope, the loss of work friends would be very negligible because those friends would also be in other groups like church, activities, neighborhoods, etc.  Maybe the close contact from work would make a slight change in the relationships, but they would still be intact.

Then there are those who moved after retirement to make their income go farther or to be closer to family.  These are the people I think are at risk for feelings of loneliness and depression due to loss of connections. So in this post, I want to identify ways to stay connected after you retire.  I hope to give you a guideline to help you feel that you are not alone and that you are an integral part of something besides being family. Family is good, don't get me wrong, but you will find that they are busy living their lives and will have only so much time for you.

One of the best ways to maintain connections is through social media.  The internet has made it possible to remain connected to friends no matter where they are. It has also enabled us to make friends that live in places we have never been to before.  Social media, however, is a two-edged sword.  There are many pros to using it for connections and there are several cons to doing the same.

Here is a list of some of the pros:

1. Staying connected with loved ones: Social media allows seniors to stay in touch with family members and friends who may live far away or have busy schedules. Through social media, seniors can share updates, photos, and messages with their loved ones in real-time.
2. Building new connections: Social media provides seniors with the opportunity to build new relationships with people who share their interests, hobbies, or backgrounds. By joining groups or communities on social media, seniors can connect with like-minded individuals from all over the world.
3. Access to information and resources: Social media platforms can be excellent sources of information and resources for seniors. From health and wellness tips to news and entertainment, seniors can use social media to stay informed and engaged with the world around them.
4. Mental stimulation: Engaging with social media can help seniors stay mentally active and stimulated, which is important for maintaining cognitive function and overall well-being.

Cons of Social Media for Seniors:

1. Cybersecurity risks: Social media use can put seniors at risk of cybercrime, including identity theft, fraud, and phishing scams. Seniors should be cautious when sharing personal information online and avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments.
2. Exposure to harmful content: Social media platforms can expose seniors to harmful or inappropriate content, such as fake news, hate speech, or graphic images. Seniors should be careful when browsing social media and avoid engaging with content that makes them feel uncomfortable or upset.
3. Isolation and loneliness: While social media can be a valuable tool for connecting with others, it can also contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially if seniors spend too much time online instead of engaging in real-life social activities.

Best Practices for Using Social Media as a Senior

1. Protect your personal information: Seniors should be careful when sharing personal information on social media, including their full name, birthdate, address, or phone number. Only share personal information with trusted friends and family members.
2. Be mindful of what you share: Seniors should be mindful of what they share on social media, including photos, comments, and messages. Avoid sharing sensitive or confidential information, and be careful when posting photos or videos of yourself or others.
3. Use privacy settings: Social media platforms offer privacy settings that allow users to control who can see their posts, comments, and profile information. Seniors should review their privacy settings regularly and adjust them as needed to protect their privacy.
4. Stay engaged in real-life social activities: While social media can be a useful tool for staying connected, it should not replace real-life social activities. Seniors should make an effort to engage in real-life social activities, such as volunteering, joining a club or group, or attending events and activities in their community.

There are many free classes offered for seniors to learn the use of computers, the internet, and social media.  You can check some out here:

• https://seniorplanet.org/classes/
• https://www.online-tech-tips.com/cool-websites/free-online-classes-for-seniors/
• https://www.storypoint.com/online-learning-for-seniors/
• https://www.frugalforless.com/free-online-courses-for-senior-citizens/

You should also check out your local library for classes and information.  Our libraries are an untapped font of help and information and the librarians are only happy to help you find out what you need to know.

So, staying connected with social media is a plus for seniors, but there are other ways to remain connected to others after retirement.

One way is to utilize the USPS and mail letters and cards to your friends to let them know what is going on in your life and that you are thinking of them.  I love doing this.  I send out cards periodically each month and I love getting mail in return.  It is still a relatively cheap way to stay in touch.  I guess this appeals to me because when we lived overseas, mail was the only way we had to communicate with others back home.  Even though I have been stateside for 50 years or more, this idea sticks with me.

Another way to stay connected is to make phone calls regularly to talk with your friends and family.  Calls can be short or long, depending on time constraints.  There are ways to make calls be video calls, so that way you can see each other while you talk.  I find that calls are a great way to stay connected with my other friends who have retired.  Their schedules are more relaxed and it is good to be checking in on each other to make sure we are okay.

So, you see, staying connected is not really a problem.  It is, however, an issue that you have to be proactive about.  Don't expect others to make you their priority just because you have retired.  You will have to be the one reaching out.  It's not hard and really takes very little time, money, or effort.

Research has shown that being connected to a social support system improves your quality of life, alleviates feelings of loneliness and depression, and helps maintain your cognitive functioning.  So, use some of these ideas and get yourself connected today.