You might be surprised, but it seems you really can teach old dogs new tricks.
In the Bronx, senior living communities are producing a fresh wave of social media stars.
The Old Friends Club, made up of eight residents from RiverSpring Living, has already gained nearly 2 million followers on Instagram and TikTok since their launch just last month.
“My daughter tells me, ‘Mom, keep going, I’ll see you in Hollywood!'” shared Shirley Johnson, an 85-year-old resident of Riverdale Nursing Home for the past five years.
Since their initiation in October, Johnson and her companions have attracted online fame by sharing a wealth of life lessons, often without holding back.
The seniors engage in games and comment on pop culture phenomena, like the Sonny Angel doll, but the essence of their content revolves around the life advice they hope to impart to younger folks.
Johnson expressed how being part of the group has spurred a sense of excitement and fulfillment in her life, particularly after facing hardships such as losing her husband of 55 years and undergoing a leg amputation in 2021.
She mentioned, “[My fans] understand that they might end up in places like this, but that’s okay. The goal is just to keep living.”
Publicity, a UK social media enterprise, founded the Old Friends Club to uplift the elderly. They kicked off the initiative in nursing homes in the UK last September, then expanded to the US after recognizing a strong American audience.
Many seniors from RiverSpring University auditioned to join, and the final cast was selected from nearly a dozen standouts, including Johnson, Rita Gottsman, Irma H. Clement, Irv Leibowitz, Sal Gonzalez, Amy Storch, Anita Tracy, and Marvin Marcus.
Gottsman, 88, is gaining attention for her outspoken motto: “Don’t let the bastards get you down.”
“I’m just a Jewish grandma who cherishes her family. I feel really happy,” said Gottsman, who has been living at RiverSpring for a year.
While her principles have led her to distance herself from some people, she’s built a strong, supportive network of friends and desires to share her insights with younger generations.
“People often get swayed by others’ opinions and actions, but that’s misguided,” she remarked. “Every morning, I look in the mirror and wonder, ‘Is aging taking over?’—but I love myself. If I love me, you’ll love me too.”
Occasionally, other elders will join the social media series as guest stars.
Johnson gained prominence after her comments recently went viral—matching celebrities with their romantic partners, even though only one of those famous individuals is aware of it.
Now dubbed “The Matchmaker,” Johnson reflected on how this experience has rekindled the joy of her later years, noting the importance of community and fun.
Gottsman chimed in, emphasizing that her involvement in the Old Friends Club signifies a quest for happiness without regrets.
“I’m 88, and I want to keep moving forward. Who knows how much time I have?” she expressed.
“I’ve always viewed life as just a countdown. You’re born, you die—you know how it ends. So it’s vital to enjoy the journey and not wish for things to have been different.”
Clement, the club’s eldest member at 105, stated that her aim in these golden years is simply to “have fun.”
Moreover, she shared that participating in the club has rejuvenated her spirit.
