The Internet opens a wide range of new possibilities for seniors to socialize and share their experiences with the world. Older adults are using social networking websites like Facebook and YouTube to remain connected, entertained, and up-to-date with current affairs.
There are plenty of online communities, Facebook groups, and forums for seniors that are full of lively conversations.
Online forums are a place to discuss issues of your interest; from retirement and senior living to health, entertainment, and hobbies with other seniors.
You can chat and have everyday light-hearted discussions and meet like-minded people in these communities.
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5 Best Online Communities and Senior Forums
All of these forums and communities are free to join. The only requirement is that you need to be 50 years and older to join.
1: Senior Forums
Senior Forums is the most active online community for seniors of 50 years and older. The forum provides a high-quality and clean community for participants where they feel comfortable while participating in discussions.
Moderators maintain the integrity of the community and do not tolerate abusive and insulting behavior or personal attacks on other members.
Senior Forums has four main sections including Retirement Discussions, Seniors Discussions, Hobbies & Interests, and Community.
– Retirement Discussions
This section has 5 subsections where you can discuss anything related to retirement. General retirement discussions include retirement planning and early retirement. You can explore the best places to retire, senior communities, and assisted living.
This section covers discussions about the challenges of living alone and being single. Subsections also cover health insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, and Obamacare) and financial topics (saving, investing, taxes, pension plans, mortgage, and social security).
– Senior Discussions
This section has 10 subsections where you can participate in everyday light-hearted discussions. Whether you want to discuss current events and social issues or discuss past and good ol’ days.
This section is open to discussing health issues, weight loss and fitness, beauty and grooming, holidays, family, and relationships. You can discuss children’s and grandchildren’s relationships with other seniors or take their bits of advice on hair, skin, and nail care.
Anything and everything is up for discussion except politics. You are asked to abstain from political discussions on Senior Forums.
– Hobbies and Interests
This section is the place to discuss your interests in 14 subsections. Everything from the entertainment world and sports to pets and crafts is discussed here. Whether you are into travel and vacations or like outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, boating, or hiking, you have plenty of interested people to discuss these topics.
You can ask for tech support on your computer, phone and photography-related issues in dedicated subsections.
– Community
Introduce yourself to other forum members and get to know them. You can start your own diary thread in the “Diaries” subsection to share your daily life. Humor and memes also go in this section and you can find loads of jokes, funny pictures, and videos. The Games subsection covers puzzles, quizzes, and riddles.
Senior forums is one of the most vibrant forums for seniors on the internet. Thousands of seniors visit the forum daily to participate in discussions.
2: Buzz 50
The Buzz 50 senior forum is a friendly place for seniors (50 years and older) to have discussions, chat and make friends. The forum covers discussions on a wide range of senior-related topics.
From current affairs and politics to games, health, and fitness, older adults discuss every topic. Here are some of the sections on Buzz 50.
- Games
- Health
- Fitness and Exercise
- Pets
- Videos
- Food and Drink
- Religion
- Computer and internet
- Photography
- Hobbies and Interests
- TV/Radio and Films
- Books
- Poetry and Story writing
Buzz 50 is one of the few dedicated forums for seniors on the internet where they can discuss, chat and make friends. The forum is run by over 50s purely for those over 50.
3: SENIORSonly Club
SENIORSonly Club is one of the dedicated forums for seniors of 50 years and older. Senior citizens and baby boomers are encouraged to join. Registration is free but requires participation in forum discussions.
This small and friendly forum removes member accounts who never participate in forum discussions to keep the forum active.
Some of the discussion categories include.
- Gadgets and Tech talk
- History
- Movies & Entertainment
- Science & Nature
- Sports & Recreation
- Hobbies & Crafts
- Senior Employment
- Photos and Videos
- Faith and Religion
- Politics & Government
- Games & Riddles
- Health and Wellness
- Family & Relationships
- Retirement & Leisure
- Travel & Vacations
The forum is run by seniors for seniors where older adults discuss the commonality and the ways they differ.
Members share their joys and sorrows with each other and discuss any topic of their choice.
4: AARP Online Community
AARP’s online community is one of the most active and vibrant forums for seniors in which participants discuss a wide range of topics. Whatever issues, problems, or questions you might have, chances are very good that someone from the community can answer you.
It is a diverse community of people who treat each other with respect.
Some of the important categories include.
- Games: Games and puzzles
- Caregiving: Share or ask for a caregiving tip. Discuss grief and loss.
- Entertainment: From Rock N Roll to Leisure and Lifestyle
- Health Forums: Healthy living topics are discussed here including brain health, Medicare, insurance, and other health tips.
- Home & Family Forums: Introduce yourself and get to know other members. Discuss housing, late-life divorce, home, and family issues.
- Money Forums: Discussions on budget, savings, online scams and phone scams, and other financial issues.
- Retirement Forums: All retirement-related discussions and social security topics go here.
- Technology Forums: technology questions and tips including computer and mobile issues
- Travel Forums: Discuss travel destinations, trip planning, budget traveling, and all other related topics
- Works and Jobs: For seniors who want to work after retirement
(Read More: 12 fun retirement jobs that pay a small fortune)
AARP’s online community is an active seniors forum with experts and advisors who guide and help seniors with their issues. The guidelines of the community keep it safe and open for everyone.
You can also discuss your AARP membership benefits and discounts and get help and tips to get the most out of your AARP membership.
Also Read: 8 Best Alternatives to AARP
5: Over 50s Chat Forum
Over 50s is one of the world’s largest chat forums for seniors. There are chats and discussions every hour of the day on a wide range of topics making Over 50s one of the liveliest senior forums online.
Some of the categories include:
- Health & Diet
- Exercise & Fitness
- Food & Drink
- Home & DIY
- Gardening
- Pets & Animals
- Travel & Holidays
- Hobbies & Pastimes
- Motoring
- Tv & Film
- Music
- Books
- Sports
- Technology
- Photography
- Science & Environment
- Finance & Banking
- Politics & Govt
Over 50s is a must-visit senior forum for older adults. You will find a discussion on every topic that is interesting to you.
Some people are discussing monarchy and politics while others are having conversations about gardening and cooking. You will find discussions on tv shows, your local politics, and your hobbies.
These are the 5 best senior forums on the internet that provide dedicated places for older adults to engage in discussions of their interests. Join these active communities to socialize with other seniors and have healthy discussions.