what's your experience suggesting elderly relatives they should stop watching algorithm suggested slop, fox news and meet new people to talk to instead?
and how would an elder start looking for friends or recreational activities for seniors? I don't even know what's available.
my father has always been republican, never a maga type, just old school republican.
The last message he sent me was more a rant against everything that's wrong with the world together with some immigrant blaming and talking about an invasion. He also wrote how he misses when I was 5. He is usually more articulate, this message was all over the place.
My mother is Mexican and I'm half Mexican. Make it make sense.
On my answer, I asked him if my mother should be deported, if he is feeling lonely or angry and if he meets people in real life other than my mother or he spends his time watching slop and listening to right wing media.
I also told him talking about immigrants the way he did to me is the perfect way to end up alone or in a right wing bubble because nobody sane wants to talk to somebody with so much disregard for people wanting a better life.
He also wrote something about how AI makes people stupider, which I agree with and asked him if he is sure this isn't something exactly happening to him right now with the message he sent me, just hoping he snaps out of it.
I suggested, if he feels alone he may contact social services, but I have no idea if they actually help seniors find new people.
I also wanted to suggest he goes to a nursing home but it doesn't seem to be the ideal place for a competent senior to meet new people, does it?
If you ever did this, what worked for you?
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Just a general advice, even when your father writes something completely outlandish, try not to "debunk" it. Instead ask soft, nonconfrontational questions to help him find the truth on his own. Be clear about nonreliable sources, but don't dwell and always approach with curiosity ("Fox news is not a good source. Have you seen it somewhere else? I'd like to learn more"). The goal is to be seen as a partner. Nobody likes to be lectured, and parents in particular usually reject their children's attempts to teach them anything.