Staying connected with your loved ones becomes increasingly important as they age. They may have moved to an assisted living community as they find it harder to live independently. You may be living in a different city or are occupied with work and find it challenging to spend quality time with your aging parents. Thanks to technology, you can now communicate with your loved ones online even when face-to-face meetings are not possible. Here are some ways to stay in touch with your elderly parents and let them know you’re thinking about them.
Video Calls
Video calls are a great way to connect with family members who live far apart. You can arrange for a time when your siblings and parents are free and get everyone to meet up on Zoom, Google Meet, or other video call apps. Even if your loved ones are not technology-savvy or have trouble using a smartphone or computer, you can always engage friendly caretakers to help them set up the video call session. No matter which part of the world your family members are in, they will be reunited in one chat room with the video call.
Plan Family Meetings
Why not plan a get-together and visit your parents during the holidays? If everyone’s living in the same city, this would be less of a problem. You can make regular visits to chat with your parents. Otherwise, you can always schedule a date and get everyone to surprise your parents in the assisted living community! Most communities have an area where families can gather or dine together. Your loved one may not have heard from you in a long time and could feel a little lonely. A family gathering can brighten up your loved ones’ day and keep them feeling positive.
Use Photo Sharing Apps and Social Media
Photos are another wonderful way for your loved one to get updates about how everyone in the family is doing. If you can’t make regular visits, apps like Flickr, Instagram, or Facebook are fantastic tools. It also gives your loved one more reason to learn how to use these platforms if they have not yet mastered them. They won’t have to call you every now and then to find out what’s happening to you. By looking at your social media accounts or the photos you share, they will know how you are doing. It helps them to feel connected to your life even if you are miles away.
Send an Email
Emails are another communication channel you can explore. It allows you to recap events and update your loved ones at your own pace. If time allows, consider sending a weekly or monthly email and let your parents know when to expect one.
Phone Calls
A simple phone call to say hello can make your loved ones smile. No matter how busy you are, dedicate some time, even if it’s just five minutes, and chat with your parents. It’s always nice to hear from a family member, especially when they have moved into an assisted living community and are no longer living with you.
