Senior Citizens Help Wanted

@re08dz (1941)
Australia
September 5, 2009 9:41pm CST
Hi, I'm putting out a call for help from the more senior citizens of the community. To get a bit of backstory out of the way, for quite awhile now I've been wanting to set up something that enables the more senior and elderly of our communities the chance to reach out and chat with others online. It came about in two different ways one through my grandpa now being on his own, and being the type of guy who won't really leave his home to go out and socialise (it was always my nana dragging him out and about) and the second being that my parents are now semi-retired and becoming grey nomads (the grandparents that travel all over) so I also wanted a way for those in similar situations to be able to share their daily travels with family and friends while on the road etc. Okay that's sort of the backstory in a nutshell. Yesterday I decided what the hell, I'm going to get off my behind and start doing something about it. I set up a blog and a forum - the forum, obviously is a place they can meet and chat with others, the blog I want to use as a way to offer advice, stories and anecdotes etc - either those that are interested can become regular authors or I would be happy to post their stories for them etc. Through experience I've learnt that the elderly often have wonderful tales to tell, and I'd like to be able to teach them or give them the chance to share them with others etc. But now I'm also asking for any advice, suggestions etc for what else I should do (topics to add, ways to help those not sure about how being online works) and of course if anyone is interested in joining the forum, submitting stories etc to please let me know. It's still a long way from where I want to go with it eventually, but I figured I have to start somewhere :-) Oh the blog is senioronline.info and the forum is senioronline.info/seniors-forum/index.php
2 people like this
4 responses
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
6 Sep 09
have you considered seeing if they would like to teach people crafts? lots of older people can do things that a younger person doesn't know how and might like to learn - maybe have them teaching informal classes, even might make a few bucks if they did so - wood working, crochet, knitting, I don't know, but something
3 people like this
@re08dz (1941)
• Australia
6 Sep 09
Hi, Thanks for that - while initially I want to primarily make this an online community I can for now add a share your knowledge type section. Thanks again
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
6 Sep 09
that's kind of what I was thinking, people are more apt to want to socialize if they are doing something they enjoy
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Sep 09
That is a very nice site that you have created. It should come in really handy for all the senior citizens to find the information they need, and/or to talk to others. I think it might have a better design than AARP's website.
@re08dz (1941)
• Australia
6 Sep 09
Hi Thanks very much for that. There's still a lot more I want to do with it, but like I mentioned above I have to start somewhere :-)
1 person likes this
• Philippines
6 Sep 09
do i qualify to be called a senior citizen? if not, i would still be willing to be part of ur community. friendship has no barriers, be it young or old.
1 person likes this
@re08dz (1941)
• Australia
6 Sep 09
Hi, Yes of course you're welcome. While down the track I plan on getting those involved that aren't already online (those that don't know how to do it etc) I'd like to have those already familiar with online forums etc involved so there's already some activity etc happening which will hopefully make those new to the idea more welcome and prepared to jump in - if that makes sense :-)
1 person likes this
@killersss (638)
• India
6 Sep 09
that is really nice work that you are doing sir, hats off.. no one thinks about the senior citizens in the country and we should get together to do something for them as they are the one's because of whom are, if they were not there, we wouldn't have been here i love my grandma and grandpa :) and that is a really nice initiative and very nice site as well keep it up. :)
1 person likes this
@re08dz (1941)
• Australia
6 Sep 09
Hi, Thanks for that. Yes I'm hoping that down the track this will be a place they can come and just hang out for want of a better term if they're feeling a bit left out or lonely etc
1 person likes this