Best Ways to Communicate with Aging Parents and Loved Ones
When an elderly parent or loved one moves into a senior care community, maintaining a strong connection becomes more important than ever. The transition can be emotionally challenging for older adults and their families, and staying in touch helps provide comfort, support, and a sense of belonging.
For both seniors and their families, staying connected is incredibly important. Isolation and loneliness are very common for seniors, and they pose serious health threats. While in-person visits may be less frequent due to distance, health concerns, or busy schedules, there are many ways to stay connected and involved in your loved one’s life.
In this post, we’ll explore some meaningful ways on how to stay in touch with elderly parents and loved ones to strengthen your bond.
How to Stay in Touch with Elderly Parents: 3 Quick Tips
Use Technology
There is an abundance of technological solutions for staying in touch. It is now easier than ever to stay connected with loved ones from across the world. If you are not able to visit the senior in your life, use technology to keep in touch and share updates. Luckily, there are many different options available for this.
Of course, you can call your loved one on the phone. Many seniors are familiar with basic phones and will love to hear your voice and catch up.
If your senior has the technology and ability to, it is a great time to video chat as well. Video calls give a more personal experience, allowing you both to see each other’s faces. You can show the grandkids, pets, your home, and even virtually bring your loved on to the park or around the house. Additionally, you can have group video calls with other members of the family. You no longer need an iPhone or complicated software for video chat. Some of the platforms you can use for video calls include:
- Apple FaceTime
- Zoom
- Facebook Messenger
- Google Hangouts
- Skype
Send a Small Gift
Another way to stay connected is with small gifts. Communicate with the community team to find out what is allowed and how you can send your senior something. Some ideas include:
- Letters
- Photos or drawings
- Food delivery (dinner, dessert, fruit arrangement, and more!
Visit Within Guidelines
While visits are certainly not what they used to be, some senior living communities are beginning to allow a new form of visits. Many times, visits must be scheduled in advance and may be limited to certain hours, so make sure that you call ahead and find out the community’s policies. Depending on the community, you may be able to schedule an outside visit or one through the window.
At CarePatrol, we understand how important it is that your senior has a safe care option. Whether you are looking for independent living, memory care, assisted living, or in-home care, our knowledgeable team will help you find the best option for your senior- at no cost to you. Learn more about how we can help you and find a CarePatrol advisor near you.