The Next Best Thing to Being There
What many of us most want to do right now is give our loved ones a big hug and sit down for some intimate heart-to-heart conversation. Unfortunately, that’s sometimes just not possible.
So, how should we communicate with our loved ones who might be vulnerable to illness or simply just live across the country? There are several helpful options to stay in touch with long-distance loved ones, anytime.
Lack of technical knowledge is no longer a reason not to touch base. Most of our favorite restaurants, shops, and corporations are offering online options and may very well continue to do so for quite some time. It is time to help your senior and yourself relieve any fears they may have of online communication.
For Professional Caregivers
If you have a home care worker staying with your parents, ask them to set up some alternate methods of communication for you. Many of the solutions can be used on multiple platforms – smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop. For those with troubled eyesight, consider setting up a tablet, laptop or desktop communication so the visuals are larger and the controls easier to manage.
For Family Caregivers
If you are the in-home caregiver, it is equally beneficial to begin to set up this lifeline for both of you to the outside world. More people than ever are flocking to video chats and text messaging and those communications have no age limit. Once your loved one is set up with appropriate technology, you might even find that they are happily able to connect on their own with friends and family.
COMMUNCATION OPTIONS
Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, Google Hangouts
Telephone Calls
Social Media
Text Messaging
Email
Good, old-fashioned handwritten cards and letters
Tech considerations for your senior
Check that their device(s) supports:
Increased sizing for fonts
Voice commands
Volume control or integration with hearing aids
Larger buttons
The ability to set up one touch “favorites” for frequently used sites or calls
Build a routine—and stick to it
For your own check-ins, we recommend setting aside a regular time and day each week so your loved one has something to look forward to. It also makes it easier on friends and family who might want to join in occasionally. If they know your video call occurs at the same link every week on Sunday at 5, for example, they might be able to drop in. Having a weekly, or even more often, video chat will help your senior to become more comfortable with the technology.
Communication with Home Care and Medical Teams
Home care and medical teams have also expanded their online communications. Remote appointments are also often an option, as many assessments can be done over phone or video.
Consider checking to see if your loved one’s healthcare providers have a remote option – whether by phone, text, or video chat. If you can avoid having them sit in a waiting room and in an exam room for questions that do not require hands-on care, virtual care makes so much sense. Virtual care options are especially helpful if they are provided by their current primary care doctor, who already knows them well. Prescription refills, recurring medical issues, and even minor concerns can be communicated quickly and without hassle. Check if your insurance covers this sort of visit.
Video Chat Ranks Highest
A recent study investigated modes of social contact and risk of depression in older adults. It found that, while face to face was the number one preferred mode of communication, video chats consistently were able to lower the rates of depression and loneliness in the seniors studied.