Showing love, especially to seniors, is as simple as taking the time for someone else. When your loved one’s home is a senior living community, they will enjoy cards and notes being sent with each season or holiday, or a frequent phone call, but it’s the face to face visits that count the most. At The Kensington, we invite any friend or family member to visit as often as they’d like.
We all live busy lives and our schedules can get jam packed with work, getting the kids to school and their outside activities, but adding time on the calendar to be visiting a loved one in a senior community should be of high importance. While this may be a no brainer, it is often that some people don’t realize the impact it really has on some residents.
Here are five important reasons why frequent visits are the best way to show love to someone living in a senior living community.
Reminisce memories, but also create new ones
What is something you associate with your loved one? Did they used to be the whimsical host of family gatherings around the holidays? Or provided you with guidance during your big life moments?
Now is the time for you to relish those special memories, but also make the time to do what you can with the time available now. Whether big or small, making new cherishable memories is what they’ll remember and appreciate more than anything.
An opportunity for genuine quality time
We get so caught up in the constant responsibilities with daily life and routine, and the nice thing about setting time aside for a visit is the dissolving of our worries and outside thoughts. Quality time is center stage when you’re in an environment centered on relaxation, socialization, and especially with a wide range of activities at your disposal.
The Kensington has an array of gardens perfect for a stroll, and our in-house master chef can provide tasty and vibrant meals that you and your loved one can enjoy together, instead of having to figure out a meal to prepare on your own. You’ll be less distracted and can solely focus on connecting and enjoying your time.
Reminds them that they are loved
Physically being there for someone is always worth the most. Actively taking the time for real visits shows that you really are thinking about them. Letters and emails are a great and quick way to send messages of love, and phone calls can make the difference in hearing their emotions, but wouldn’t you rather visibly see the smile on their face? Or watch firsthand as a smile or bit of laughter spreads across their face?
You can truly see how much they enjoy your company and conversation when you are there in the same room as them.
Allows time with younger generations
There is a lot that we have to achieve in life. One of the greatest is the growth of a family. The extended family and future generations are considered the legacy of your loved one as grandmother or grandfather. It is not often that in a senior living community that children can be around, so by making sure to include visits with children that your loved one cares greatly for, it will boost their mood even more.
Taking the time to bring grandchildren along will foster deeper relationships, and encourage fun play and quality time. There are several research studies that show the benefit of cross-generational interaction, including boosting self-esteem and social well-being.
If your loved one has memory loss
With a loved one that has the onset of Alzheimer’s or dementia, it is not an easy transition. When they are not appearing like the person you once knew, it may be hard to know how to connect with them. There are several ways to make a visit enjoyable and fun, and the biggest way is to keep it simple.
Going for a walk, looking at photos, a visit with a pet, arts and crafts, and other positive activities are a great way to have an enjoyable time with your loved one in a way that is fun for the two of you.
The Kensington Falls Church invites all residents’ families and friends to visit as often as they would like. We have a campus with lush gardens, Famille Cafe close by and an in-house chef on staff to supply a delicious meal for conversing over, and a wide variety of monthly events that are open invitation. We promise to treat your loved one’s as we do our own, so that you can be assured they feel at home.
Further Reading:
Memory loss is life changing for all involved. At The Kensington, we provide a state-of-the-art memory care program, a higher staff-to-resident ratio than industry standards, and more advanced care services. Our promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own.
For additional resources regarding your loved one’s condition, please read on about our Memory Care, Alzheimer’s Care and Dementia Care.