For all of us staying connected with loved ones is important but even more so for seniors. And quite a lot of older adults over time may feel more isolated, particularly if they live at home or have mobility limitations. Today, with technology at our fingertips and a spark of creativity, it’s never been easier to keep seniors connected with friends and family, even when they’re far away.
If you have a senior family member or friend with you, here are some simple and very effective ways to make sure that they don’t lose their meaningful connections, all from the comfort of their own home:
Set Up Technology
Introducing seniors to user friendly technology is one of the best ways to keep them connected. Video calls can fill that gap of in-person visits, allowing seniors to see the faces behind their loved one’s voice. There are many popular apps for video calls including FaceTime, Zoom, and Skype, but the trick is to find something that’s simple to use for them.
First, set up a tablet, smartphone, or computer with all the required apps then just let them follow along step by step. It can also help to write down instructions or bookmark the important apps, by making it easy to find them when needed.
Schedule a Regular Family Time
Spontaneous phone calls are great, but scheduling regular virtual family gatherings offer seniors something to look forward to. Making it a routine is the important thing: whether it’s a weekly video call with a grandkid or chatting with the family once a month, this constant interaction is what keeps them engaged.
Encourage the family to be prepared for these calls and mix it up by planning different activities in the virtual meetings. A trivia night, a game, some catching up on each other’s lives; it doesn’t really have to be complex. People who think they’re alone may be more open to a visit, and these shared moments can make a big difference in helping seniors feel more connected to their loved ones.
Send Letters and Care Packages
There’s something special about receiving a handwritten letter, or a thoughtful care package, in this digital era. Ask family members to channel some ‘she/he knows I’m thinking of her’ thoughts through notes, cards and small gifts that let their senior loved one know they’ve been thinking of them. It could be something as simple as a postcard from some recent trip or a drawing done by one of their grandkids.
Fill care packages with their favorite snacks, books, or photos and we’ll see if that doesn’t brighten their day. As someone who might live alone, these tangible reminders, of love and connection, could be a great way to make sure that they feel appreciated and included.
Introduce Social Media and Email
Social media opens up a whole new world of connection for seniors who are interested in technology. Facebook and other platforms keep them updated on family events, see their grandkids photos, and even reconnect with old friends. Email is another simple way for seniors to communicate with loved ones exactly how they want to and at their own pace.
Help them set accounts up, and make sure they get a good grasp on how to play around with privacy settings until they feel comfortable using these tools. For seniors, keeping up with family and friends can be fun and interactive through social media.
Help with Writing Emails or Messages
It may be hard for seniors to reach out to loved ones sometimes and find it hard to write emails, send text messages, etc. Ease out any frustrations with technology by offering to help them create messages or respond to emails.
This is useful in particular when they want to reconnect with an old friend, or to stay in touch with their family that is living far away. Maintaining those important relationships can be assisted, even if it’s a simple and short message.
Teach Them How to Share Photos and Memories
For seniors, some of those memories are priceless and they would love to be able to share it with family. By showing them how to use photo sharing apps like Google Photos or Dropbox can allow them to share pictures from the past with their younger family members. If your family is spread out geographically, this is a great way to stay in touch by sharing old family photos, or by taking more pictures containing new memories of the day.
A fun idea: you can also make a shared family album for everyone to share pictures in. This way, seniors can scroll through the latest snapshots of their grandchildren or a faraway relative anytime they like.
We at 1st Care Community are convinced that seniors should remain connected with their loved ones. This is why our team of experts are on hand to guide seniors through the use of technology and maintain important relationships. Want to help your loved one maintain their social and emotional wellness? Call us today to discover more about our in-home care services, or check out our website to learn more.
