Guest Post: Social Media, For Folks of My Vintage!

Today’s guest post is by Linda Fitzgerald. What is She working on?

Growing an online community for ‘chronologically maturing’ women traveling through the 2nd half of the journey. Developing and launching the face to face companion neighborhood networks known as “AFFILIATED WOMEN INTERNATIONAL.

Kyle laughs when I use that phrase! It refers to those of us who grew up in the shadow of the “greatest generation”. Those who are supposed to sit on the porch & do nothing!

But social media is not just for the young. It’s become a phenomenon valuable for all ages. Ask folks who work in geriatrics about using social media as a means to keep the brains of elder persons alive and well. Not to mention the health benefits of staying connected to others in order to reduce a sense of isolation that leads to early death.

Those of us who are not yet confined to anything except our computers find social media an excellent tool for developing online relationships that are as strong as many we’ve had for years and meet face to face with on a continual basis. Ask me! I can tell you that the friends I’ve made online via a number of social networking sites, including our own, are priceless.

Did it take me longer to learn to use the tools? You bet, but the practice of not using books (Face book for Dummies or some such material) to enhance the learning process made it all the more exciting when “I did it!” And it kept my brain cells from atrophying. The process of trying to figure out different forms of social media, i.e. Twitter, can be exceedingly frustrating. But once we’ve got it down – the process is absolutely fantastic.

The one thing I enjoy the most is the ‘youth’ of those with whom I now connect and build relationships. Many are young enough to be a grandchild! I never think of it and they are kind enough to never remind me. That in itself is healthy and emotionally satisfying.

I recommend to my ‘vintage’ friends that they dust off the system and at least make a Face book page. For no other reason than to reconnect with friends from high school or college. A few weeks ago I had that pleasure. Got a Face book message from a woman I knew from my young adult days who had been a close friend of my brother. I recognized her immediately and we’ve now reconnected. It was the highlight of an otherwise mundane day.

Have a ‘vintage’ friend or family member you want to keep mentally alert and emotionally healthy? Get them engaged in social networking. Don’t take an “I don’t have time” for an answer.

And certainly don’t take “I’m too old” as an excuse. I’m a perfect example that “old dogs can learn new tricks”. At least social media “tricks”!

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