Loneliness in Seniors Before the Days of the Computer

SeaBreeze

SeaBreeze

Endlessly Groovin'
Location
USA
I think that seniors who are alone after losing a spouse, or the elderly who are stuck at home due to physical disabilities are so much better off these days if they have the means to own and use a computer. It opens a whole new world for them, right from their apartment or home. They can shop online if they need to, talk to others who have similar lives, and share a little bit of their lives, what makes them happy, what worries them, and ask advice about things pretty easily.

Years back, many folks would sit on the front stoop of their apartment houses and chat with the neighbors in warmer months. In winter, they did their best to make it to the local grocery store for needed supplies, and hoped they'd make it back home safely without slipping on snow and ice.

I imaging that the ones who were confined to their homes relied heavily on the radio and television for companionship, news and entertainment. We've come a long way with technology, just since I was a young kid. Now that I'm a senior, I'm very happy that if I get sickly, or the day comes that I lose my dear husband, I will be able to leave my house without leaving my house.

Right now I'm healthy, can take long walks and drive wherever I need to go. Knock on wood, hoping it stays this way for a long time, but nice to have some friends to chat with on the forum every day, always smile or chuckle at some of the amusing posts and endlessly learning new things about the world around me.

Hope the computers never die. :)
 

I'm so with you on this.

I think I would burst if I didn't have the 'Net. Even the times that I've moved and a few days go by before I got a new provider, I got the shakes.

I remember as a kid, getting the daily newspaper and it, along with TV, being my only real exposure to the real world.

And our milk was delivered by the milkman. :D
 
So agree, I love my computer and am online for so many things - banking, shopping, entertainment, news, forum friends, mail, hobbies and art, on and on. Sometimes my modem and server go down and I have to do without for a little while (I try not to panic).
 
Not everyone has the financial means to shop online. Huge population of seniors struggle to save for an iPad and pay for simple internet, sometimes sacrificing necessities in order to remain connected to the world,if only online. Many lack cell phones also.
 
Shalimar said:
Not everyone has the financial means to shop online. Huge population of seniors struggle to save for an iPad and pay for simple internet, sometimes sacrificing necessities in order to remain connected to the world,if only online. Many lack cell phones also.
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Agree - again, it's a First World problem.

The prices of providers seem to be ever increasing. :(
 
I have been extremely lucky and am grateful to have a very generous son who pays for my technology. Its so true many older seniors don't have computers, but its not always because of lack of money, often they are technophobes or don't have skills and even though free training is available from many sources they don't take advantage of it. My older sister has a mental block and won't use the computer at all since she retired, even for emails. Go figure.
 
I get Turkish Delight online. It's a favorite candy I can't easily find. I get a lipstick on EBay that's no longer made. I love the Internet for shopping. Shipping is usually free too. My mother has a computer and iPad and won't touch either. I've given up trying to convince her..lol
 
As a 81 year old single male with a Profound Hearing loss which makes normal conversation with people almost impossible and appreciating music definitely impossible I agree with you completely. Fortunately I am physically mobile and have no problem getting around and driving my car. The computer is a great outlet for my extroverted personality.
 
Id be lost without my iPad and my internet "friends" to have a laugh / chat .with ..I live in a nice area not far from the beach ,however you can only go for walks for so many hours a day ..Where I live there are 4 small towns all of them have approx 3.500 people with many living out of the town on cereal growing farms .so unless you make your own fun you would be fairly isolated/ alone
 
I totally agree . When you can't sleep you can always jump on the computer . It's not unusual for my husband and I to be on line at three in the morning .
 
SeaBreeze said:
I think that seniors who are alone after losing a spouse, or the elderly who are stuck at home due to physical disabilities are so much better off these days if they have the means to own and use a computer. It opens a whole new world for them, right from their apartment or home. They can shop online if they need to, talk to others who have similar lives, and share a little bit of their lives, what makes them happy, what worries them, and ask advice about things pretty easily.

Years back, many folks would sit on the front stoop of their apartment houses and chat with the neighbors in warmer months. In winter, they did their best to make it to the local grocery store for needed supplies, and hoped they'd make it back home safely without slipping on snow and ice.

I imaging that the ones who were confined to their homes relied heavily on the radio and television for companionship, news and entertainment. We've come a long way with technology, just since I was a young kid. Now that I'm a senior, I'm very happy that if I get sickly, or the day comes that I lose my dear husband, I will be able to leave my house without leaving my house.

Right now I'm healthy, can take long walks and drive wherever I need to go. Knock on wood, hoping it stays this way for a long time, but nice to have some friends to chat with on the forum every day, always smile or chuckle at some of the amusing posts and endlessly learning new things about the world around me.

Hope the computers never die. :)
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I am living that this very moment, SB. I just got back from flying over the Himalayas thanks to Ken's post. Great stuff. Enjoyed it thoroughly. I'm on vacation now with Annie in Thailand. Gorgeous temples, beautiful views, good company. I talk to you guys almost daily. My life certainly isn't what it used to be, but the world is an amazing place if you have the interest.
 
SifuPhil said:
I'm so with you on this.

I think I would burst if I didn't have the 'Net. Even the times that I've moved and a few days go by before I got a new provider, I got the shakes.

I remember as a kid, getting the daily newspaper and it, along with TV, being my only real exposure to the real world.

And our milk was delivered by the milkman. :D
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"Milkman! Keep Those Bottles Quiet!". :laugh:
 
Agman said:
Great post, SB. Some more good news is that a beautiful Spring is just right around the corner.
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It sure is Agman! :)


Underock1 said:
I am living that this very moment, SB. I just got back from flying over the Himalayas thanks to Ken's post. Great stuff. Enjoyed it thoroughly. I'm on vacation now with Annie in Thailand. Gorgeous temples, beautiful views, good company. I talk to you guys almost daily. My life certainly isn't what it used to be, but the world is an amazing place if you have the interest.
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I'm with you Underrock about experiencing other places in the world through forum photos and videos. I've been greatly enjoying Ameriscot's wonderful visit in Thailand too! :cool: I'll have to check out Ken's Himalayas post, thanks!
 
We're very active but I love having friends online all over the world. I love hearing about other's lives, sharing mine, and discussing a multitude of topics. My first forum was around 1997 and I've been hooked ever since. It was a Yahoo group about Ireland.
 

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