From health to finances to technology and humor, we've put together a list of the top senior sites where you'll find a little bit of everything. These sites are loaded with useful information and are easy to navigate. We have compiled a list of resourceful websites on the web for senior citizens.
(Note: While the sites are categorized, they are not ranked in order.)
Aging
Useful information is essential when you are trying to age with ease. From activities to try at home, to retirement and investment advice, it's important to know where to look for information on aging. Here are some of our favorite websites that will help you as you age in place and provide you with alternative living situations if the time comes.
AARP: aarp.org
From the latest treatments for Alzheimer's to the eight healthy reasons to have sex, aarp.org is crammed with useful senior articles, videos and senior discounts. There is probably no other site as comprehensive. Even if you aren't looking for anything specific, just browse the headlines and you'll find something that catches your eye.
Retirement Life Matters: retirementlifematters.com
Hundreds of articles for the retired on topics ranging from health to relationships to spirituality.
Love to Know Seniors: seniors.lovetoknow.com
Interviews with experts; fashion and beauty; arts and crafts for seniors — you'll find a little bit of everything here.
Assisted Living Directory: assisted-living-directory.com
A great site that focuses on assisted living facilities across the nation. This site also has some great content for those who may be interested in opening up an assisted living or senior living home.
Travel
When you love to travel, it's time to check out some of our favorite sites that provide information and special deals to seniors. If you have a new passion that you want to learn more about, or you want to find out about economical travel opportunities, the following sites will provide you with travel ideas throughout the world.
Road Scholar: roadscholar.org
Want to explore the Biblical Israel? See the statues on Easter Island? Float down the Danube? Check out Road Scholar, the site for Elderhostel, “the not-for-profit world leader in lifelong learning.”
Evergreen Club: evergreenclub.com
If you're over 50 and like to travel, check out what the Evergreen Club offers: a network of low-priced B&Bs, guest rooms and other down-to-earth, personal accommodations.
Technology
Technology is always changing. As a senior, it can make you feel less independent when you have to constantly ask for help with your computer, smartphone or even television. Check out the resources we have discovered to make using technology less scary for seniors.
The Senior's Guide to Computers: seniorsguidetocomputers.com
Simple, useful, and uncluttered is the Senior's Guide to Computers. And it shouldn't be any other way with technology. This site walks you through everything computer and web related with their easy-to-navigate “Learning Center”. Want to back up your data? You'll get written instructions complete with screen shots and animation.
Age in Place Technology Watch: ageinplacetech.com
If you want to know the latest tools and advice for remaining in your home for as long as possible, bookmark this site. You'll find topics (robots for caregiving) that you never knew existed.
Humor
Who can't use a good laugh once in awhile? Laughter is good medicine, but it can be hard to find websites that cater to the senior crowd. When you don't want to read obnoxious jokes just to get to a few that are interesting, we recommend the websites below.
Suddenly Senior: suddenlysenior.com
What can you expect from this light-hearted site? Here's a sample: “Instead of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, at our age how about just five?” There's also nostalgia, trivia, a senior forum, and other areas for those that have “become senior before their time.”
Swap Meet Dave: swapmeetdave.com
Dave Ahl's site is packed with jokes, funny pictures and videos, and as the title suggests, stuff he hawks, which ranges from books to old coins to vintage video games.
Health
As a senior, you have specific health needs. While there are many resources to look up health information online, you will quickly discover that the amount of conflicting information you find is extensive. We have found a number of sites that we believe offer useful, accurate, and detailed medical advice for seniors who are doing research on specific medical concerns.
Web MD: webmd.com
Perform a search on any health topic and you'll probably get a webmd.com link on the first page. There's good reason for that: their articles on health are authoritative (often written by doctors and easy to read/understand).
The Mayo Clinic: mayoclinic.com
Easy to navigate site on all things health-related for seniors. Get the “basics” on a topic or click on the “in-depth” tab. You’ll also find slideshows, videos and resources for further reading.
National Institutes of Health Senior Health: nihseniorhealth.gov
An easy to use site for senior health. Pick a topic by first letter. For instance, arthritis. Go to Rheumatoid arthritis and you’ll find the basics plus risks, treatment options, videos and links for further reading.
Medicare: medicare.gov
This is the official U.S government site for Medicare. Find doctors and medical facilities. Compare drug and health plans. See if that test is covered. Under “Care and Support” you'll find topics ranging from smoking cessation to prostate cancer screening.
Jobs
Whether you are looking to supplement your retirement or you aren't quite at retirement age, you have job options. When you have experience, but you aren't sure how to go about searching for a job, we have advice. The senior job sites we have found will help guide you in starting your own business, finding your passion, and locating a job that fits your skills perfectly.
Retired Brains: retiredbrains.com
Find jobs; get advice on career transitioning; start your own business. There's something for any job seeker on retiredbrains.com.
Work Force 50: workforce50.com
Loaded with advice for seniors looking for jobs. You’ll find relevant articles (e.g. “Leveraging Your Military Background to Build Your Civilian Career”) written by experts in the field. Some of the topics include job search preparation, marketing yourself, and finding meaning and purpose.
Finance and Money
If you are like more seniors, you are always looking for new ways to make a better investment and to save money. When you are trying to live comfortably in your retirement, it's important to pay attention to how you are spending and saving your money. Learn more about products you are interested in before making a purchase and see how your money can continue to add up through solid investments by visiting the sites we have found.
The Money Alert: themoneyalert.com
Dozens of articles about investing, retirement planning, estate planning, and just about every other topic having to do with money. Their calculator page is worth a visit in itself.
Consumer Reports: consumerreports.org
You could easily spend hours on consumerreports.org: smart ways to invest your money; resist credit card temptations; and “how to haggle with your doctor.” Get access to all the site's content including reviews and buying advice for $30 a year.
Dating
Dating doesn't have to be over just because you are a senior. When you are looking for a new partner, or you are interested in finding companions for a night out, you can sign up for a senior dating site exclusively for seniors. If you have been looking for love but haven't found it, take a chance by meeting like minded seniors online.
Senior Match: seniormatch.com
Looking for love? Or maybe you just want a companion? Sign up for Seniormatch.com's free dating service for those over 50. You may just find your spouse…or just a bridge partner.
Forums
Senior forums are a great place to meet other seniors who have similar interests. From local forum groups to build community in your area, to online forums designed to allow people to talk and share ideas, forums can be very useful. If you are feeling alone and want to meet other seniors, it's time to check out a forum. When you are a shy person, forums can be an excellent place to start a virtual conversation.
Seniors Only: SENIORSonly.club
Seniors Only is a free online forum for individuals over 50. While you have to use a first and last name for identification, they don't have to be your real first and last name if you are nervous. From philosophical discussions to help requests, get to know other members and you just might find others in your area who are on the site.
Senior Forums: Seniorforums.com
Senior Forums is the place to go when you have questions that you want answered by your peers. With an active community and topic headers for any interest, you will have fun looking through the forums and meeting other people.
Chat Rooms
A chat room is much like a forum except you are talking in real time to others who are online at the same time. Many forums offer a chat room, while some websites only offer a place for seniors to chat. Here are a few sites we have discovered that give seniors a place to meet other seniors in real time.
Senior Chatroom: Senior-chatroom.com
Senior Chatroom is a free community and described as a place for seniors to learn how to use chat rooms online. As the name suggests, the chat room is for seniors and you will be able to have discussions with others no matter what time of day it is. If you are bored and looking to chat, check out Senior Chatroom.
Online Games
Online games are everywhere. If you are being asked for private credit card information to play a game, you are on the wrong site. While some sites might ask you to pay for extra lives or game materials, if a site feels unsafe, then it probably is.
Facebook: Facebook.com
There's a reason Facebook is the number one social media website for seniors. You can talk with your friends and family, share photos and links, and you can play all kinds of games for free.
Discount Sites
Find great deals at the following senior discount sites. When you are living on a limited budget, it's important to find all the deals you can. Whether you are looking for a place to go out to dinner, or discounted movie tickets, a good deal can be hard to find.
Groupon: Groupon.com
Groupon provides deals on goods and services that are both local and online. While not specific to seniors, Groupon's deals are worth checking out when you want to go out for the night and are looking for an affordable activity.
Retirement
If you have been looking forward to retirement for years, the time is getting near for you to enjoy it. If retirement planning is your current focus, finding the right websites to gather information can help you make the most out of your retirement when the time comes. Here are some of our favorite sites that discuss retirement strategies for the savvy senior.
Investopedia: Investopedia.com
Investopedia is a must read for any senior who want to keep on top of their investments and move to more aggressive investments if necessary. Full of financial advice, Investopedia provides relevant investment news and strategies for people who visit the site.
By Jeff Hoyt
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