Staying in touch with loved ones in a residential aged care home is important, especially when they’re in high care or low care. Being connected helps family members feel close and provides emotional support. It can also reduce feelings of loneliness or isolation, which are common in aged care settings.
Loved ones in a retirement resort or residential aged care benefit from regular communication, whether it’s a simple phone call or a video chat. Today, technology makes it easier than ever to keep those connections alive. In this digital age, families have many options to stay in touch, no matter where they are.
Using Technology to Stay in Touch in Residential Aged Care
How Video Calls Bring Families Closer Together
Video calls are one of the best ways to stay connected with family in residential aged care Sydney. Whether they are in high care or low care, using platforms like Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime allows you to see each other face-to-face, even if you can’t visit in person. Seeing a loved one’s smile and sharing moments through video can make a big difference. It helps families stay involved in each other’s lives, share updates, and even have meaningful conversations.
Residents in a retirement resort can also enjoy these calls, as many facilities now offer tech support to help residents use video calling apps.
Smartphones and Tablets
Smartphones and tablets make it easy for residents in high care or low care to stay in touch with family. These devices are user-friendly and allow for instant communication. A quick video call or message can bring comfort to loved ones. Some residential aged care facilities even provide these devices to residents or offer assistance with setting them up.
Social Media: A Simple Way to Stay Connected in Low Care and High Care Settings
Why Social Media is a Great Tool
Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are easy and quick ways to share updates, photos, and messages with loved ones in residential aged care. Whether your family member is in low care or high care, social media helps keep them updated on what’s happening in your life. It also gives them the chance to share their own stories, making them feel more included.
For residents in a retirement resort, social media can be an enjoyable way to stay in touch with friends and family, even outside of their immediate circles.
Creating Family Groups
A private family group on social media is a great way to share updates in a safe and personal space. These groups allow everyone in the family to stay connected with a loved one in residential aged care or a retirement resort. Sharing photos, memories, and messages with the whole family at once helps create a sense of closeness, even from afar. This can be especially comforting for residents in high care who may feel disconnected from everyday life outside the facility.
The Role of Email and Messaging Apps in Retirement Resort Life
Email for Longer Messages
For longer or more detailed messages, email is still a very useful tool. Residents in low care or high care can receive thoughtful updates and photos from family and friends. Emails can be read and re-read at any time, making them a lasting connection to loved ones. Email also allows families to send more in-depth updates, like sharing stories or news that may not fit into a quick message or social media post.
Messaging Apps like WhatsApp and Messenger
Instant messaging apps, such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, are perfect for quick check-ins and everyday conversations. They provide a fast and convenient way to send messages, photos, or even voice notes to loved ones in residential aged care. Whether your family member is in high care or low care, these apps make it easy to stay in touch throughout the day.
For those in a retirement resort, messaging apps can become a simple way to maintain friendships and family bonds, even if they live far away.
Organising Virtual Family Gatherings in Residential Aged Care
How to Set Up a Virtual Family Event
A virtual family gathering can bring everyone together, even if you can’t be there in person. Organising a family video call through Zoom or Skype allows loved ones in residential aged care to feel included in special events. Residents in low care or high care can enjoy the company of multiple family members at once. Setting up the call is easy, and many aged care homes offer support to ensure the technology runs smoothly.
Making the Most of Special Moments Online
Virtual celebrations are a great way to make sure your loved one in residential aged care doesn’t miss out on important family moments. Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or family milestone, these events can still be enjoyed through a video call. Even for those in high care, sharing these moments brings comfort and joy. Residents in a retirement resort can also participate in family gatherings, staying connected and part of the fun.
Using Photos and Videos to Keep Loved Ones Updated in High Care and Low Care Settings
Sharing Life Moments Through Pictures
One of the easiest ways to keep loved ones in residential aged care connected is by sending regular photos or short videos. These little updates can bring a lot of joy to residents in both high care and low care settings. Pictures of family events, grandkids, pets, or even daily life help loved ones feel like they are still part of the family’s routine. You can send them photos through messaging apps, email, or even print them out for a more personal touch. These snapshots of life are a great reminder that they are always in your thoughts.
Creating a Family Photo Album Online
For a more organised way to share photos, consider creating a family photo album online. Using tools like Google Photos or shared albums on your phone, you can easily collect and share pictures with your loved one in a retirement resort or residential aged care. These albums can be updated regularly, allowing everyone in the family to contribute. Residents in high care or low care can then look through the album whenever they want, keeping memories close by and feeling more involved in family life.
Staying Involved in Daily Life in Retirement Resort Communities
Following the Facility’s Social Media or Newsletters
Many retirement resorts and residential aged care facilities have social media pages or newsletters to keep families informed about activities and events. By following these updates, you can see what your loved one is involved in, from social events to group activities. This is a simple way to stay connected and feel involved in their daily life, even if you’re far away. It also gives you something to chat about during your next call, helping you stay connected to what’s happening in their world.
Checking in Regularly
Even a quick check-in message can brighten someone’s day, especially for residents in high care or low care. Regular communication, even if it’s a short text or voice note, lets your loved one know you’re thinking of them. These small gestures make a big impact, helping them feel loved and supported every day. For those in a residential aged care home or retirement resort, consistent contact can help prevent feelings of loneliness and remind them they are still an important part of the family.
How Digital Platforms Help Maintain Emotional Support in Residential Aged Care
Offering Comfort and Encouragement from Afar
Staying connected digitally is not just about sharing updates; it’s also a way to provide emotional support. Offering comforting words, sharing encouragement, and being a positive presence in your loved one’s life is important, especially for those in high care or low care. Whether it’s through a text, video call, or voice note, hearing kind words from family can lift their spirits and make them feel supported, no matter the distance.
Keeping Conversations Positive and Engaging
When communicating with loved ones in a residential aged care home, it’s important to keep conversations uplifting and positive. Digital platforms like video calls and messaging apps are great for sharing good news, interesting stories, or even a joke to brighten their day. Engaging conversations, even over a short call or message, can bring comfort and joy to residents in both high care and low care settings. The focus should always be on keeping them connected and happy, making every interaction something they can look forward to.
Staying Connected Brings Comfort
Maintaining regular communication with loved ones in residential aged care or a retirement resort is essential for their emotional well-being. Whether they are in low care or high care, staying connected through digital platforms helps them feel close to family and prevents feelings of isolation. Small efforts like video calls, sharing photos, and sending messages can have a big impact, bringing joy and comfort to their lives. The more you stay in touch, the more they will feel loved and supported, making their days brighter and more fulfilling.
