YouTube is home to an astounding 800 million videos and 37 million different channels! On average, people spend 100 minutes each day watching videos online.
Videos are an engaging, visual way to get information. From quick DIYs to in-depth tutorials, YouTube has something for everyone, including older adults.
Today, we’ll talk about 7 of the best YouTube channels for older adults, covering everything from health and wellness to entertainment.
1. Eldergym
It’s recommended that people over 65 get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise (i.e. brisk walking) each week. In addition, our exercise routine should include two days of total body strength training and three days of balance exercises.
Eldergym helps elderly people stay fit from home. The channel is run by a Physical Therapist/Certified Geriatric Specialist and has been around for over a decade.
With hundreds of exercise videos covering topics from stretching to strengthening, breathing to balancing, there’s a video for all needs and skill levels.
2. Cyber Seniors Corner
Technology is advancing at such a rapid pace that it can be hard for the most tech-savvy person to keep up. Yet, new technologies have become a part of daily life. This is particularly true for computers and the internet.
Computers have changed how we buy things, communicate with loved ones, manage our money, etc. For those who didn’t grow up in the digital age, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Cyber Seniors Corner helps simplify computers, the internet, and other computer-based technology. They have videos about how to use social media, shop online, use professional networking sites, stay safe online, and more.
3. Postmodern Jukebox
Many of us probably consider ourselves music lovers with a passion for finding new music but don’t relate to the music of today.
Modern music may be unfamiliar and unpleasant. The style, sound, and instruments aren’t what we’re used to.
Postmodern Jukebox aims to bridge this gap. They create covers of modern songs in styles of past eras (and they’re great at it!).
Covering the hottest hits of today’s young stars in styles ranging from the 1920s to Doo Wop to orchestral, Postmodern Jukebox makes listening to new music fun.
4. 2nd Act TV
The constant message we get from society is that our best years are our early teens to our thirties. While this idea is obviously ridiculous and not factual, it’s easy to internalize the belief that our life is “over” when we get older.
2nd Act TV challenges this belief and aims to help people live well after 50. From busting myths about being “too old” to exercise, to discussing dating and sexual health, this channel provides a light, informative take on maximizing the quality of life for older people.
5. Look Fabulous Forever
We all want to look our best, and age shouldn’t stop us. Look Fabulous Forever is a channel that provides tips, information, and advocacy to help older adults look and feel great.
The channel is primarily aimed at women and people who enjoy makeup and skincare. The videos provide tips about makeup application, skincare routines, and products.
However, the channel also has video discussions about ageism, life changes in older age, building self-confidence, handling self-limiting beliefs, etc.
The channel embraces a pro-aging philosophy and encourages others to do the same.
6. Shirley Curry
In the past, video games were an all-day affair. We’d go to the arcade armed with a roll of quarters and sheer determination to beat the highest score. For those of us born before the introduction of arcade games (the ’70s), video games likely weren’t a part of our lives.
And many of us still haven’t gotten into them. But Shirley Curry (aka Grandma Shirley) has. She’s an 85-year-old gamer from Ohio who plays video games online, sharing her adventures with her subscribers.
Think watching someone else play video games is weird? It’s actually wildly popular, with 1.2 billion people doing it as of 2020.
Watching others play may give us the same rush of excitement as if we were playing. Also, if we want to play video games but don’t know where to start, watching gamers like Shirley can help us learn.
Lastly, like TV, watching people play video games can be a good way to unwind and relax (in moderation).
7. Grand Illusions
Nostalgia helps us connect to past versions of ourselves that we might’ve forgotten. This helps us compare who we were then to who we are now, and makes us consider who we want to be in the future.
Nostalgia also lets us revisit pleasant emotions and moments that we otherwise can’t.
Grand Illusions host Tim Rowett takes us on a trip down memory lane by showcasing his collection of over 20,000 old toys.
He has super bouncy balls, edible toys, slinkies, spinning tops, fire-breathing dragons, gag gifts, and more.
This channel is sure to spark feelings of childhood joy, and Grand Illusions’ 2 million subscribers agree!
Summary
YouTube videos can be a great source of information and entertainment. Different channels can help us stay fit, learn new skills, and relax. With millions of videos available, we’ll always find something we like.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/older_adults/index.htm
https://statista.com/statistics/516754/gaming-video-content-viewer-number-global/
https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/nostalgia/
