Staying connected with family can be difficult, especially when an aging loved one moves to a senior living community or long-term care center.
Fortunately, there are many ways to stay involved in their lives.
At Good Samaritan locations, family and friends are encouraged to visit as regularly as they can and attend the variety of activities and events held throughout the year.
These visits help foster well-being and strengthen bonds.
Benefits of staying connected
When a loved one first moves into senior living or a nursing home, frequent visits can make the transition smoother for both of you. Visits can help families overcome any initial sadness and grief during this new stage of life.
“It’s very helpful to residents to have family members frequently visiting,” says Cierra Ahlf, administrator at Good Samaritan Society – Pine River in Pine River, Minnesota.
She is a firsthand witness to how in-person family visits can brighten a resident’s day.
“We have a resident at the nursing home whose daughter comes to visit every morning, and whose son comes to visit every afternoon. These visits really make a big impact on her overall mood,” Cierra says.
Consistent visits can also help adult children and other relatives stay in tune to how their loved one is doing physically, mentally and emotionally.
Staff members get to know residents better when family is around. Conversations about past events allow them to learn more about a resident’s history, personality and likes.
“Some individuals who move into our nursing home don’t remember the present very well, but they remember the past, so family visits are beneficial to them,” Cierra says.
How to connect
Visiting your loved one during special events, such as Christmas and Easter parties, is an important way to grow your connection.
“We always invite family to come and join in on meals and experience the holidays with residents,” says Cierra.
When you can’t be there, handwritten letters, drawings from the grandchildren and care packages that include some of their favorite things are ways to strengthen your relationship.
Regular phone calls, texts and video chats are a great option for those who live farther away.
“We have phones at the nursing home that are portable, so when a family member calls, we can deliver it to the resident if they don’t have a cell phone. You see their faces light up when they learn that a loved one is on the phone,” says Cierra.
Family members visiting from out of town can stay right on the Pine River campus.
“We have a guest apartment at the independent living building they can rent,” Cierra says.
Benefits of senior living
When you can’t be there, you can feel confident knowing caring Good Samaritan staff members are there to help your loved one.
“We offer a lot of resources at our buildings. In senior living, we’re working on getting a physician who is going to do rounds on a weekly basis. Residents won’t have to go out all the time for doctor’s appointments. If they have a concern, they can just reach out to the physician who will be there that week,” says Cierra.
Your loved one will have more opportunities to improve their well-being in a senior living or long-term care setting, especially in areas of the country where winter weather can lead to even more loneliness and isolation.
Read how social connections provide health benefits for seniors.
“You get that ability to socialize a lot quicker. We find there are groups that get together and play cards every week, or they have Meals on Wheels delivered and then sit in the dining room and eat together,” Cierra says.
Good Samaritan locations offer a variety of activities to keep residents engaged and fulfilled.
“For Halloween, we did costume judging. Residents judged staff members, and then we judged them and gave away prizes. We had trick-or-treating in the leadership hallway so residents could have that nostalgic feeling of when they were kids. Later, local children came to trick-or-treat and interact with residents,” says Cierra.
Each event and activity helps promote quality of life.
“We have horses that come, and residents can interact with them. We also have a paws and claws event where pets visit. In December, we have a giant Christmas party with a Secret Santa gift exchange, live music and fun drinks and desserts,” Cierra says.
