Adults over age 50 may have been slow to embrace social media websites, but they’re making up for it now.

The Pew Research Center recently released the findings of its Internet and American Life Project, which conducted phone surveys of adults 18 and over. The research showed that adults ages 65 and over doubled their use of social network sites — such as Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace — from 13 percent in April 2009 to 26 percent in May 2010. During the same time period, adults ages 50 to 64 nearly doubled their usage, from 22 percent to 42 percent.

The main reason respondents gave for using social media was to connect with people from their past, especially when nearing retirement or embarking on a new career. Social networks also provide a means for people with chronic diseases to provide support for one another.

The popularity of social media sites and their acceptance by a wider audience have given rise to gaming websites that also provide a social connection, such as Winster.com. Michelle Kaplan co-created Winster in the fall of 2006 to provide a positive online experience.

“After playing competitive online games where winning was the goal and the players could often get mean, I wanted to create a site that promoted friendship and compromise instead,” said Kaplan.

On Winster, players “meet” in a game “room” and take turns helping each other win prizes by exchanging playing pieces and cooperative strategies, working together instead of against each other. While playing, they chat in real time and often form friendships.

“We’ve heard stories of people helping each other through real crises while playing the game,” Kaplan said. The site now has 10 games and more than 2 million players.

According to the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP), research has shown that maintaining relationships is important to the well-being of older adults. Additionally, learning something new, such as new technology or the specifics of a new site, is a good way to keep the mind sharp.

For these reasons, AARP initiated technology programs such as Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) and Project GOAL (Get Older Adults Online). The mission of OATS is explained as being “committed to maximizing the power of technology to help older adults live healthier, more connected, socially engaged lives.” Project GOAL works with other aging organizations to highlight the benefits of online activities in improving the health and well being of older adults.

A study commissioned by AARP and conducted by GfK Custom Research found that 40 percent of adults age 50 and over describe themselves as “extremely or very comfortable using the Internet.”

Using social media sites has the effect of bringing the generations together too. Many older adults now routinely share photos and swap stories online with their children and grand-children.

Of course, older adults have a long way to go to catch up to their grandkids. In the Pew study, 86 percent of the 18-29 age group reported using Facebook and other social websites regularly. Older adults tend to split their time between social media websites and informational sites that can provide help with medical and other issues.

As more older adults become increasingly comfortable with the technology, their use of social media websites will likely continue to grow. Whether for fun, information or maintaining relationships, social media websites are not just for kids anymore.