The internet is unarguably useful for people of all ages. Nearly every job imaginable uses the internet in some capacity, schools utilize it, and it has become a prime source of entertainment. Internet entertainment isn’t just for kids and teens buried in their smart phones, though. A treasure trove of information and memories from the early days of television and radio are stored in online archives that can be accessed by anyone at any time. We’ve compiled a selection of web pages for both the novice and the most experienced internet user, to inform you on some of the great websites on the internet that you could be missing out on.
Media
CBS Radio Mystery Theater – Enjoy all 1,399 episodes of CBS Radio Mystery Theater for free! Stream or download each episode in MP3 format or burn to a CD. This is an excellent place to relive the golden age of radio and enjoy a classic show.
Classic TV – Relive your youth with classic shows, cartoons and movie shorts! Their entire library is free to watch through their web page and sports a wide range of content. Classic TV is the perfect website to show your kids and grandchildren the media that you used to watch when you were young.
Old-Time Radio – This page is more than just an archive of countless classic Old-Time Radio shows. You can also buy books, find conventions to connect with other fans, and check out their “humongous” OTR database. This web page is great for connecting with people who have a similar taste in music and radio shows.
YouTube – YouTube is the most well-stocked video websites in the world. Content creators on YouTube post about a wide range of subjects. Nearly any hobby or interest you could have has a video about it on YouTube and they now offer movie and TV show rentals for a small sum of money, so you can enjoy all of your favorite classics in one place.
Games and Activities
American Contract Bridge League – Avid bridge fans and novices alike will love the ACBL website. Learn to play, brush up on your game, find local competitions, or play online. The possibilities are endless!
ChessClub – If chess is more your speed than Bridge, the ICC is an excellent place to play against competitors of every level online. This website is great for people who do not always have another person around them who is interested in playing chess, and can also be useful for teaching children or grandchildren how to play, because the computer will only allow legal in-game moves.
Sites Just For Seniors
The Association of Mature American Citizens – The AMAC began in 2007 as an organization for seniors to come together to tackle political issues affecting seniors everywhere. Their mission statement is: “We offer an alternative perspective on how to best solve the problems faced by seniors today, and we’re on your side when it comes to fighting runaway taxes, excessive government involvement in our day-to-day lives, and the erosion of accountability on all levels of government.”
Retirement WOW – This website has hundreds of articles geared specifically towards retirees. Firstly, have quizzes you can take to find retirement activities based on your personality. Then there is a relationship section of the website that talks about senior dating and maintaining healthy family dynamics. Lastly, there is a section of the website that addresses financial planning and management for seniors.
Grandma Betty – Advertised as “the starting point for baby boomers and seniors,” Grandma Betty offers articles with links and information on virtually everything. The topics covered include technology, grand-parenting, travel, coffee, pets, books, jokes of the week, and more. This is another great resource for those with various questions about their retirement years.
Senior Law – Despite their specific focus on New York, Senior Law was created by attorneys to offer seniors and their families information about elder law, Medicare, Medicaid, Medicaid planning, guardianship, estate planning, trusts, and the rights of the elderly and disabled. This is a great legal resource for questions and concerns that you might have. It’s always comforting to know that there is someone looking out for your rights.
Travel Sites for Seniors
Road Scholar – Road Scholar is a not-for-profit leader in educational travel. Join them on train journeys, through National Parks, or browse any number of their programs. They have something for every budget, every pace of life, and almost everywhere you could dream of going! This is a great jumping off point for those looking to travel but not knowing where to start.
Evergreen B&B Club – Traveling has never been easier – or more affordable! Evergreen offers access to thousands of B&B home-stays across the USA and Canada, all for under $25/day including breakfast! There is also the option to become a member and host a B&B on your own schedule, which is a great option for seniors looking to make some extra money and meet new people.
ElderTreks – Have an adventurous spirit? Let ElderTreks take you on small group exotic adventures! They offer tours for every interest – including diving, photography, cultural, festival tours, and more! – and varying activity levels to accommodate every type of traveler. They schedule worldwide travel options, so there is sure to be an option that catches your attention.
Technology
The Seniors Guide to Computers – New to the web? Are you lost when people start using computer-specific lingo? The Seniors Guide to Computers provides a clean, easy-to-navigate platform to teach you everything you need or want to know about computers. They offer tutorials and instructional videos, and make it easy to adjust the font on the pages for optimal viewing. Just because you’re not familiar with computers does not mean that you are incapable of learning how to use them with ease.
Aging in Place Technology Watch – Aging in Place’s goal is to provide seniors the ability to live confidently and comfortably in their own home for as long as possible. They provide articles on all things technological, including pet technology, entrepreneurship, robotics, and more. They have a long list of infographics, articles on the latest assisted living technologies, and information on the latest financial news.
The Money Alert – The Money Alert is a great resource for keeping you up-to-date on all things financial. A comprehensive calculator page allows you to plan a mortgage, compare car costs, check lifetime savings, and many more things. Get all of the information you could ever need on 401ks, estate planning, and tax tables. Or, check out their newsletter for stocks.
Health
The Mayo Clinic – The renowned Mayo Clinic has health information for all sorts of ailments at the tips of your fingers. Health articles, quizzes, slide shows, and a gigantic database of information is all available for free on their website.
National Institute On Aging – An easy to navigate webpage dedicated to the information of health and wellness for senior citizens. Use an alphabetized listing to search for health related issues; watch health videos for up-to-date information on healthy living; and read inspiring exercise stories.
Social Connections and Dating
Ancestry.com – Ancestry.com is a great resource for those looking to trace their roots back and dig into their family tree. Ancestry.com has the largest online family history resource with over 16 billion records, which means that most people are able to trace their way back quite a long way. This website is great for people looking to connect with long-lost relatives, or learn more about the history of their background and culture.
Buzz50 – Buzz50 is a free social networking site for and by seniors and baby boomers over 50 worldwide. They come equipped with chat rooms, forums, and profile pages. Share photos, recipes, blogs, and videos. Make new friends or even find a special someone! They have a YouTube channel and a some articles that cover all sorts of topics for seniors. Buzz50 calls itself the friendliest chat and social networking site for seniors in the world!
SeniorMatch – There is an age threshold of 30 years old on SeniorMatch.com, but the site focuses on users aged 50 and older. Find that special someone, a casual date to shake up the weekends, or even a new bridge partner. Their website also provides unique features like greeting cards, social forums, blogs, and even a senior fashion show.
Hopefully this list has given you some idea of the limitless potential that the internet has to offer. There is a plethora of ways for you to utilize this tool to provide yourself with entertainment, companionship, research, and hobbies. Take advantage of everything the internet has to offer you and try something new today!
