Curious how to stay connected, boost morale, and support your loved ones who are in a senior living facility? In the last months, many families have been creating new solutions to bridge the gap of social distancing.
While we’ve each been finding ways to stay connected, positive, and upbeat in our own lives, reaching out to senior members of your tribe requires extra care and attention. Too often, we forget that little things make a huge difference for our friends and family.
According to recent studies, seniors are more susceptible to feeling lonely and isolated, even before a global pandemic. Before COVID-19, 43% of adults in the United States, who are 60 and beyond, reported feelings of loneliness. With social distancing in senior care facilities, limited visitations, and behavioral changes it is no wonder that older adults are experiencing increased isolation.
As a family member or friend, you can make a positive impact on the health, lives, and well-being of residents. Here are 7 fun ways to stay engaged, connected, and in touch. You and your loved ones are likely to feel happier and healthier as a result.
Care For Plants
Taking care of plants provides people with a sense of purpose and meaning. If you’ve ever nursed a sick or dying plant back to full health, you know just how rewarding this can be.
Tip: To get started, select plants that are easy to maintain. Focus on creating a fun, colorful, and rewarding experience.
Care For Pets
Taking care of a kitten, bird, or dog has been associated with health improvements. Pets offer a way for adults to engage, touch, and care for another living being. If your family member cannot have a full-time pet, bringing your pet by for visits can be highly rewarding.
Tip: Start with short visits to determine the best visitation length for your loved one.
Share Photos of Your Life
Many older residents enjoy seeing pictures of what you and your family are doing. You can share aspects of your life, special moments, daily events, and celebrations. Photos are not limited to digital images. Use photo tiles and create a gallery wall of recent photos. Having images of you and your family to see throughout the day brings joy for you and your loved one.
Tip: Spice things up by bringing in new photos and freshen up the photo gallery. Get input from your family member on placement and selection.
Stay Active
Your loved ones have a lifetime of interests, hobbies, and personal preferences. Find activities to help each person explore their unique skills and talents. Many senior facilities find that each resident has a wealth of interests as demonstrated by their career choices and life paths. Using assisted living technology, senior living centers can tailor treatment plans, activity selection, and personalize the experience for maximum benefit.
Tip: Talk to the staff to share specific insights about your loved one’s interests, hobbies, and skills. With a little attention, you can build greater understanding.
Share A Virtual Meal
Plan a favorite meal with your parent, grandparent, relative, or friend. You may know their favorite treats, or share some of your latest’s cooking experiments. Many meal services can deliver a meal of your selection to complete the experience.
Tip: Consider dietary restrictions to guarantee that the meal is enjoyable for everyone.
Read Together
Sharing a good book is a wonderful activity for everyone in your family. If you have young children, encourage their grandparents to read stories for them. You’ll be proactive about building literacy, strengthening contact, and encouraging swift learning.
Tip: Find age-appropriate books to keep young readers fully engaged.
Stay In Touch
Many older adults feel isolated because they are not part of the little details of daily life. Find different ways to stay in touch such as calling, writing handwritten notes, sending videos, creating drawings, and sharing hand-made projects.
Tip: Experiment with fun ways to stay connected. You may be surprised to find out which kind of contact is at the top of the list.
Sum Up
Staying connected with your loved ones is key for the health and well-being of you and your family. With these 7 actions, you can encourage conversation, foster cross-generational interaction, and support the health and well-being of your loved ones.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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