Hi everyone,

Is anyone aware of a tech tool such as Meetup.com but for virtual meetups for homebound people? Both for support and reciprocal life enhancement?

Thanks,

Donna

updated by @donna-thomson: 10/24/16 06:19:00PM

Hi Donna,

This is a great idea! What features do you imagine it having? There needs to be an app for this..How would you make it different than facebook or other social media?

Betsy

Hi Betsy,

It could be similar to www.elderhelpers.org. Each person in a neighborhood would have icons beside their name to indicate the skills they would be willing to share. It could include sewing, reading aloud, playing cards or board games, chatting, cooking, driving, etc. There could be an icon for senior and one for younger person. This way, those looking for inter-generational conversation could tailor their search. It could be a general community sharing site along the lines of ABCD work, or it could be spefically designed to meet the needs of seniors seeking social opportunties and the chance to contribute to their community. What do you think?

Our community is spread out over various cities. We use Sococo to meet "in person". Other people use google hangouts, and still others use Skype. All three allow 10 people free on a single account or call. Google Hangouts and Skype will let you add more callers, but the sound gets bad. One person can hold a Sococo account and let people into a virtual room. Startmeeting.com has virtual rooms also, but they are only audio, not visual like Sococo. I think it would take a long time to go over all the wonderful features of each of these 4 ways to meet virtually, as each has its many advantages. Look them up on the Internet, and try experimenting with setting up your own service and invitation--many cities have a senior center that might welcome such a contribution of time.

Thanks, Magdalena! I'll suggest to our local community centre that we try these out for our neighborhood.