Staying connected to our loved ones is an important part of maintaining a happy, healthy life. This is especially true for seniors as they retire and have more free time to fill. Though it is easy to become busy with daily life, it’s essential to stay in contact with friends and family so they feel that they’re a meaningful part of your life.Whether you live near or far, there are many ways you can stay engaged with loved ones who live in an assisted living community in Spartanburg, SC.
Plan In-Person Visits and Special Outings
Just because your loved one lives in a new neighborhood doesn’t mean you can’t still spend time together. In fact, their new home may make it even easier for you to have meaningful quality time. When you visit, there won’t be a long list of things to fix or check because the assisted living team will take care of maintenance and housekeeping services. You won’t feel obligated to drive your loved one to appointments or errands because now they have accessible transportation readily available. Of course you can choose to do these things, but there will no longer be pressure to meet their daily needs so you can focus on having fun and making memories instead.
At their assisted living community, you can likely attend family events, like special barbecues and parties. There are also many shared living spaces where you can spend time together. You can play games in the living room, savor some wine on the patio, or share a meal together in the dining room. You can even just relax in your loved one’s apartment, catching up like usual. There is never a shortage of things to do in an assisted living community.
Perhaps you’ve been wanting to try a new restaurant in town or visit a recently remodeled boutique. Planning to take your loved one on outings is another fun way to experience new places, or revisit familiar ones, beyond their new neighborhood. Although in-person visits may be less frequent if you live further away, planning special time to visit when you can is a wonderful way to show your loved ones just how much you care. Intentionally spending time together, no matter how often or how long, is always a great way to stay engaged.
Virtual Communication
With modern technology, there are more ways to stay connected than ever before. Although more complex apps, like social media, may be overwhelming to some, there are plenty of straightforward ways for seniors to stay virtually connected to their friends and family across the globe.
Phone calls are likely the simplest way to communicate with your loved ones from a distance. Whether it’s on a landline or mobile device, chatting on the phone is a familiar experience for many seniors. Calling to check in on a regular basis can help you both feel more connected and involved in everyday life.
Using video chat software is another wonderful way to remain engaged with loved ones. This enables each of you to see a live video of each other while simultaneously having a conversation. Video chat can be especially rewarding because it feels the most like an in-person conversation. You can see and hear the other person laugh and smile which helps you both feel more genuinely connected.
Similarly, texting or emailing are simple written ways to communicate. Some seniors do not feel comfortable with smartphones or their tiny touchscreen keyboards, so emailing may be a more accessible option. Most texting and email platforms allow you to send photos and videos as well to share important memories and milestones, no matter the distance.
Whichever options you choose to utilize to communicate with your loved one, the most important thing is that you’re taking the time to stay connected. Even a quick hello or sharing a good joke means the world to those we love most. To create an even deeper connection, check out the events happening at their senior living community so you have something relevant to ask them about during your chat.
We hope you feel encouraged by all the ways you can stay connected to loved ones enjoying assisted living in Spartanburg, SC. To further support you and your family as you navigate senior living, we’ve created a free guide—click here to download The Journey to Senior Living: A Step-By-Step Guide for Families today.
