While some people of the younger generation would say that senior citizens and the Internet don’t mix, more and more people of the retiring age are those who have been comfortable surfing the Web for a good two decades.
Heck, most of the guys who claim credit for inventing the Internet (not just you, Al Gore) are of retirement age or older.
And while millions are using the Internet every day to listen to the latest music, update their social statuses, and for some reason take pictures of meals they’re about to eat, there are also hundreds upon hundreds of useful websites geared just for senior citizens with useful information that can make your life easier, save you money, get you the most out of the benefits you’re entitled to, and plan for the future.
Here is a look at some of the best resources for seniors on the web across a host of different areas.
AARP (aarp.org): The gold standard of all thing senior citizens, it can be a resource for literally anything you’re looking for, be it money advice, questions about health benefits, and where to find savings across the board, whether you’re a member or not. Even better, the website doesn’t just cater to the 65-and-over crowd, but gives tips to anyone who has hit 50 and is starting to see the end of the road in their drive towards retirement.
Administration on Aging (aoa.gov): The majority of us go to three government websites in our lifetime: the IRS, Medicaid, and the Post Office. Not exactly a winning endorsement for wanting to visit something else run by the American government, right?
But the Administration on Aging (AOA) is nicely laid out and has a lot of useful information, particularly on health and nutrition, along with the latest statistics on aging, and available news articles and an eNewsletter that are free to subscribe to.
ThirdAge (thirdage.com): It sounds a bit like a video game title, but it’s actually a play on words of your childhood being your first age, and your working years as the second age, with the third age encompassing “healthy living for now and beyond”. The site has a great Health A-Z encyclopedia that is easily accessible and searchable, and also has articles and blogs on aging well, lifestyle, relationship, and everything else under the sun of today’s seniors, including the ability to take online classes.
SeniorNet (seniornet.org): Founded in 1986, SeniorNet’s mission is to provide older adults the opportunity to learn about and access computer technologies. This not only allows you to stay on top of technology as it rapidly changes the way we communicate, pay our bills, store our records, etc., but also can give you an inside track to keeping yourself employed for as long as you like.
National Senior Citizens Law Center (nsclc.org): One of the toughest things about growing older is the fact that senior citizens are the biggest target of scammers in the United States. As our mental facilities often soften with the passing decades, confusion about complex systems like Medicare, wills, estates, retirement homes, and financial investments can be expected, and there are people who would prey on the elderly for their own gain. The National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC) advocates for senior rights across the board, offering help, advice, and support for a host of different needs.
Buzz 50 (buzz50.com): A social network just for seniors? Yes! It’s Buzz 50, a site run by seniors and geared toward those over 50, specifically the recently-retiring baby boomers. It features both discussion forums and chat rooms to connect with other seniors not only in the US, but around the world. Make a profile page and get connected!
Elder Treks (eldertreks.com): No, it’s not dinner with William Shatner or tea with Patrick Stewart, Elder Treks allows seniors to plan once-in-a-lifetime trips that probably wouldn’t have been possible during their younger years, what with commitments to work and children always in the forefront. The locations are both domestic and exotic, with trips including stays on Eater Island, the Galapagos, Machu Picchu, Egypt, and Kenya just to name a few. Activity levels vary, as does length of stay, from as short as a weekend to as long as a month. The price tag, is of course, a little on the high side, but hey, who needs to leave an inheritance behind when you can spend 14 days on board the world’s largest ice breaker en route to the North Pole?
Aston Gardens At Sun City Center is a premier senior living community in Sun City Center, Florida. Our state-of-the-art independent living community provides residents with gourmet dining, social events, senior fitness classes, and more. Learn more about our senior living options by contacting us online or giving us a call at 813.642.0860 today!
