28% of seniors live alone, totaling more than 14.7 million people (5 million men and 9.7 million women). These figures are in the U.S. according to ConsumerAffairs (click the link).
There are millions of seniors who are living in isolated conditions cut off from friends, family and simple daily interactions most of us take for granted as we go about our day. Every senior has a unique situation for "why" they live alone and don't get the opportunity to get out to meet others in a social environment. Rather than discuss all the complexities of their situations, it's enough for all of us to realize they should not have to experience loneliness in their golden years - full stop!
There are some resources for Senior Citizens: AARP, Senior Centers, Retirement Communities, Veterans Organizations, Assisted Living, and more. However, most of these are either expensive, take travel time & money, or for other reasons are out of reach of many elderly people.
Seniors and retirees are no different than you or I, and in most cases have developed skill sets, wisdom, education and experience that would be the envy of younger generations (if they knew). Seniors want to have conversations, tell stories, joke, share what they know, give their opinions and, most importantly, feel connected to others in a safe, respectful, and fun environment. There is nothing more important than being able to sit around and shoot the breeze with people you feel comfortable with (and not cost them an arm & a leg)!
Second Life offers a unique social platform that is free, anonymous, and its citizens represent millions around the world. Seniors can meet hundreds to thousands of new people, visit regions designed by some of the best digital artists in the world from mountain resorts, city & urban living to Western Ghost Towns. Seniors can meet & greet and visit all these regions from the comfort of their own home. Seniors can choose to "voice" with others or not. Seniors can reveal some of their real-life information or stay completely anonymous.
Seniors need a basic (recent) off-the-shelf computer and an internet connection to join Second Life. T-Mobile offers a wireless plan for $50/month in many places. Some ISP's (Interet Service Providers) provide TV and even mobile phones for many seniors already. An internet plan that provides the basic 60 mbps is enough to get online in Second Life and get to places that are comfortable and fun - to just chat, voice, and sit in beautiful or exotic environments.
We are starting the "Seniors Against Loneliness" Group where any person can come, sit, chat, relax, tell jokes, and make connections with people whom they may become friends in meaningful ways.
If you want to take the opportunity to meet people and spend some quality time:
1. Signup @ Second Life - click this link
2. Click on the blue "Signup" button
3. Choose a free male or female avatar (you can choose gender, eyes, hair, skin color, and clothing). Click "Continue"
4. Choose a simple name and add some numbers after it (for example, "Dave5871" or "Sue6585")
5. Choose a simple and easy to remember password to begin a "free" account. Do not add your credit card number, banking account, or any payment method.
6. Create your free account.
7. Download the Second Life Viewer (Click this link)
8. Open the SL Viewer, enter your username and password, and in the "Location" field type in "Door to America." Press "Enter."
9. You can contact me directly by locating me on Facebook as "Angelor Galanter," and send me a message, or you can email me @ Angelor Galanter's Email
10. If you need assistance with any of the above, feel free to contact me or join our group Mavericks MC in Discord, and I will help you get connected.
"Seniors against Loneliness" Group will be providing socials to meet & greet. We may even play canasta or bingo (or many other social games available in SL).
Anyone with a decent computer and an internet connection can join for our socials. There is no reason for anyone to be alone when there is a world full of people to meet!
The opportunity to "feel" another's feelings, hear them, recognize various tone(s) & quality in their voices and know them in an anonymous way can be more powerful and profoundly meaningful rather than meeting a few people by accident in real-life. You can filter out (or in) all the people you want in your life and feel as connected as you want!
Join Us!
If you'd like to help in other ways you can try:
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