One look at a loved one’s face when they first catch a glimpse of a familiar visitor is an illustration in joy and happiness.
Spending time together can create a sense of belonging. However, family and friends often worry about how to make their assisted living visits meaningful.
Whether you’re planning to spend time with a parent, grandparent or another loved one, preparing ahead and exploring the value of connecting can create a memorable visit for everyone.
Why Assisted Living Visits Matter
There are several ways that interacting benefits your loved one. Here are a few to consider:
1. Emotional Well-Being
Visits from family and friends provide residents with a sense of belonging and emotional security. It can be a real boost to self-esteem and happiness knowing that people care and take time out of their schedules to visit.
2. Cognitive Stimulation
Residents in assisted living communities already have the advantage of the daily conversations and activities. But engaging with familiar faces can also spark memories, animated conversations and a sense of comfort.
3. Physical Health
When friends and family schedule assisted living visits, they contribute to positive physical benefits for their loved one. Social interactions have been shown to lower stress, improve cardiovascular health and even boost immunity.
4. Strengthening Bonds
A common fear of new residents is that they will no longer see those close to them. Regular assisted living visits reassure them that the bond remains strong and that new memories will also be made.
Creative Ideas for Assisted Living Visits
If you’re looking for ways to spend time together, here are some ideas that are easy to carry out – and that cater to various interests and abilities:
1. Enjoy Nature
For residents who can’t easily leave the community or when the weather isn’t cooperating, time spent outside or bringing a bit of the outside world in can be gratifying. This could include:
- Seasonal Decorations: Bring flowers, pumpkins or holiday decorations to brighten their apartments.
- Nature Walks: There may be walkways or gazebos in the community that you can share with your loved one.
2. Host a Personal Picnic
Think of your family’s favorite foods and pack a picnic basket. Sharing a meal is always enjoyable, but this makes it special, whether it’s in the community’s garden, patio or even your loved one’s apartment. Don’t forget to bring a mouth-watering dessert as a perfect touch.
3. Share Hobbies Together
There are many passions and projects that can be shared – while having fun and making a great memory. Here are a few ideas:
- Crafting: Bring supplies for scrapbooking, painting or making greeting cards. If your loved one likes to crochet or knit, maybe they can teach you.
- Gardening: If the community has a garden, ask about planting flowers or herbs. Or you could pick out a brightly colored pot and plant a small succulentor another variety that’s easy to grow.
- Cooking or Baking: Ask if you can use the community kitchen to recreate an old family recipe. Whether it’s making cookies or homemade bread, families have known many good times in the kitchen.
4. Reminiscing Down Memory Lane
Revisiting old memories can bring much laughter and joy. Consider these options to help your loved one reminisce:
- Photo Albums: Bring old photos and create a family album together.
- Home Videos: Watch videos of family celebrations, vacations or milestones.
- Create a Book: Ask your loved one to share stories about their childhood or favorite life experiences that can be entered into a memory book or autobiography.
5. Play Games or Puzzles
Visits should be fun and pleasurable, and playing games can be a wonderful way to connect. The added benefit is that they can also help keep the mind active:
- Classic Board Games: Does your loved one have a favorite? Checkers, Scrabble or Uno are often popular.
- Jigsaw Puzzles: Choose puzzles with larger pieces for ease of handling. Or the community may have a game room with an ongoing puzzle just waiting for others to add a few more pieces.
- Trivia Games: Bring or create your own trivia game that focuses on a topic your loved one enjoys, like history or entertainment.
6. Share Music and Movies
Music and movies can evoke powerful emotions and memories and are wonderful to share during your assisted living visit. Consider these ideas:
- Sing-Alongs: Sing classic songs or hymns together.
- Watch Favorites: Watch their favorite genre, such as classic films or musicals.
- Music Memories: Create a playlist of their favorite songs from the past and share during your visit.
7. Celebrate Together
Celebrations are always a great time to get together and remind loved ones how important they still are to the family:
- Birthdays: Host a small birthday party with balloons, cake and favorite music.
- Anniversaries: Celebrate wedding anniversaries, retirements or other events in their lives.
- Holidays: Make sure to make the holidays special either through decorations, special treats or recreating family traditions.
8. Participate in Community Events
Many assisted living communities host events and invite families to join in. Check the activity calendar or speak with the staff for activities that you could share with your loved one while engaging and becoming part of the community family:
- Bingo Nights
- Themed Dinners
- Holiday Celebrations
Assisted Living at Presbyterian Village North
We believe in empowering residents to live life on their own terms, regardless of age or abilities. Our Assisted Living neighborhood is designed to help you or your loved one maintain a sense of independence and autonomy while receiving the individualized support needed to thrive. With a focus on preserving dignity, our trained professionals provide assistance with daily activities such as dressing, grooming and medication management, all while encouraging social engagement and personal growth.
Our community offers a range of services to make everyday life easier and more enjoyable, including restaurant-style dining, wellness programs and a monthly calendar of social and cultural activities.
With a nurse onsite 24/7 and a variety of spacious and thoughtfully designed residences to choose from, Presbyterian Village North is the perfect place to find peace of mind and enhanced quality of life.
Reach out today by calling (800) 400-4130 to learn more about how we can provide the care and support you or your loved one needs, all within a vibrant, caring community.