More information than ever is available to you on the internet, and more seniors are using tablets, phones, and laptops to gain access to the wealth.
Whether you plan to retire, continue working, change careers, take a course or volunteer, the details are available to you online. Here, we’ve compiled some of our favorite sources of information about these enriching opportunities!
Education & Travel
Remain curious about the world and you’ll stay more mentally agile (and young at heart). Here are a few websites offering seniors free courses or tailored access to travel and learning:
Academic Earth
If you didn’t get the ivy league education, now is your chance. Academic Earth is a straightforward portal offering a curated and unparalleled collection of free online courses from the world’s top universities.
Road Scholar
Founded in 1975, this not-for-profit organization’s mission is to inspire adults to learn, discover and travel. Road Scholar “designs learning adventures with engaged learning instructors that provide extraordinary access for seniors and stimulate discourse and friendship among people for whom learning is the journey of life.”
Tailored trips (both foreign and domestic) are also arranged for large and small groups with experts offering their knowledge throughout the trip. There are also online adventures and virtual lectures available. The group rates help make the packages offered more affordable.
Action & Volunteerism
One of the biggest issues seniors face as they become older is remaining feeling a sense of purpose. As more seniors live longer, remain active, and comprise a larger share of the population, their role in the greater good becomes even more important. Your version of purpose will need to intersect with your interests and abilities. Here are a couple of options to help get you started:
Elders Climate Action
“The mission of Elders Climate Action (EAN) is to mobilize elders throughout the United States to address climate change while there is still time to protect our grandchildren and future generations.”
This nonprofit organization keeps seniors informed with ways to get involved, including an action tool kit, monthly online calls, and other resources including things to do with your grandchildren.
Americorps Senior
This federal agency connects individuals and organizations to help tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges. The list of ways seniors can volunteer is expansive, including helping a child to read, delivering groceries to someone who is homebound, and offering assistance to others impacted by natural disasters. Americorps reports that every year they help match 200,000 volunteers with service opportunities.
Health
Perusing the internet for information about your health can be a slippery slope that leads to anxiety as you wonder if your symptoms mean disease X, Y or Z. However, there is knowledge to be picked up so long as you understand your situation is unique and you should consult with your doctor.
If you seek both information and support for a specific condition, consider checking out groups that use Facebook as their way to communicate with each other. The one thing Facebook does well is offer groups an easy way to connect and communicate. There is a group for almost every health issue from diabetes, heart failure, to high blood pressure.
The Mayo Clinic
An easy-to-navigate website, The Mayo Clinic is an organized portal with information about all-things health. Simply search the topic of interest to you and you’ll find content that covers the basics, and also access to more robust information if you want to dive in.
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
This organization is a premier source of information about the science of healthy aging, and Alzheimer’s disease and Alzhiemer’s disease-related dementias. The NIA reports that scientists and other experts review the content to assure it is evidence-based and accurate before it is published. You’ll find the top subjects of interest to seniors up front on their main page, but can easily dig in and explore other health topics from their rich database.
Lifestyle
The good news about so many more people falling into the over 50 group is that more companies are stepping up to address the needs and interests of older people than ever, for example:
AARP
You remember when you first got mailers announcing you are now eligible to join AARP for discount programs, services, and free information? You might have groaned to realize you reached the milestone, but this organization does offer a robust level of information for free!
If you join with an inexpensive membership, the additional benefits stack up, too. You can save on auto insurance, glasses, and many other services. If you plan to continue working further into your 60s, you’ll find resources to help you stay up to speed on employment opportunities and how to have fun in your downtime no matter the lifestyle you’re living.
Sixty & Me
This online magazine features a global community of over 500,000 women over the age of 60. The content covers everything from fashion and makeup products to retirement planning and senior dating as well as games to play in your free time.
You can get a real sense of community at Sixty & Me because the contributors of the articles are of all ages and walks of life. The founder, Margaret Manning, offers videos every other day about subjects meant to spark conversation within the community.
Work & Money
Retired Brains
Retired Brains is a comprehensive and independent source of information giving seniors advice to support “quality of life, financial stability, and opportunities for continued growth.” In addition, there are ideas for work from home jobs, part-time gigs and entrepreneurial opportunities.
The Money Alert
Everything about personal finance (no matter your age) can be found at The Money Alert. The website is well-organized with the latest news about investments and retirement planning spelled out for you to quickly review. Their mission is to provide highly reliable financial advice without bias. Topics include investing, real estate, legal issues, insurance and more.
Fun
All work and no fun makes one dull, so be sure to incorporate fun and relaxing activities into your days. Groups abound to join online as well as at your local senior centers and libraries. Here are two online tools we love:
Meetup
The website Meetup organizes online groups that host events. People start groups and then make announcements that they are looking for people to join them. Most of these groups and events are free to join, too.
Suddenly Senior
Suddenly Senior is an online e-magazine that, in the words of the founder Frank Kaiser, “takes a humorous look at Geezers who’ve become senior before their time.” The website touts 4,000 pages of humor, nostalgia, senior advocacy, and useful information for people 50+. There are new articles weekly.
Did we miss one? Let us know!
Bibliography:
https://academicearth.org/universities/
https://www.eldersclimateaction.org/
https://americorps.gov/serve/americorps-seniors
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health