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Distance between seniors and their families creates a need for communication. There are numerous ways to stay in touch with family in today’s digital landscape. Seniors who are isolated for a long time risk developing mental health problems.
Here is a list of strategies to keep seniors connected to their loved ones:
1. Contact via telephone
The most widely used kind of long-distance communication is the telephone. Even though mobile technology advancements have made it possible for people over 75 to send and receive text messages, only 18% of Canadian seniors own a cell phone.
For seniors who have never used a mobile phone before, setting up one would be best done by family or a caretaker as it can be a challenging and unfamiliar process. Seniors might consider asking a live-in senior caregiver they’ve hired for senior home care to demonstrate how to operate the device.
It is also a good idea to program crucial phone numbers into the contacts list. These numbers should include those of family members, live-in caregivers, and medical professionals.
2. E-mails
Statistics Canada reports that 68 percent of Canadian seniors use the internet on a monthly basis. Using email to communicate with an elderly relative who is familiar with the internet is a great idea. By sending “virtual letters” to family members and including pictures, families keep them informed. It is important to remember that older individuals frequently have trouble reading text that is too small (for instance, on a phone’s screen), thus it is important to change the font size on the device they are using.
3. Social media
People of all ages now use social media platforms. These sites, especially Facebook and Pinterest, are becoming more popular among the elderly. It’s easy to set up a profile, and once you have, it can be a convenient way to stay in touch with loved ones.
Social media lets older people browse photos of their children and grandchildren, exchange private messages, and submit photos of themselves.
4. Video conferencing
Video conferencing is a great alternative to phone calls for communicating.
Seniors with smartphone can utilize it to interact with you by making video calls to people on their contact list. There are various video call options for smartphones, with WhatsApp being the most popular.
If a senior has access to a laptop with internet service, Skype or Zoom is another option for communicating digitally. As a result, staying in touch with one’s relatives or caregivers is made simpler.
5. Create a set schedule for yourself
The most efficient way to stay in touch with elderly loved ones is to continue regular communication, regardless of the method you use to contact them. Establishing set times to catch up on things on a regular basis will help to ensure that you stay in touch, which is crucial for seniors who are dealing with memory loss. These times could be weekly or daily.
In addition to providing elders with physical and domestic care, live-in caregivers can be of aid to them in other ways as well. They can help elders set up Facebook and Skype accounts and install software to protect their devices. Additionally, they can teach seniors how to use their smartphones to contact their loved ones and friends.
Want to learn more?
ConsidraCare’s live-in caregivers are trained to offer professional support to seniors, such as helping them set up and communication technologies. Please reach out to us at wecare@considracare.com or call us at 1-855-410-7971 to arrange care for a loved one.
