Top 5 Ways to Stay Connected with Loved Ones

One of the things we encourage at our Los Angeles hospice facility is staying connected with loved ones. Whether it’s encouraging our elderly patients to make friends with other patients or encouraging family members to touch base with grandpa and grandma every once in a while, staying connected helps us feel less lonely and isolated in the world. It also encourages people to spend time with their loved ones while they still can.

So, if you’re looking for ideas on how to maintain relationships with family, friends, and other loved ones, then here are our top five tips on how to do so:

1. Have a Pen Pal

Writing to family and friends with pen and paper may seem awfully traditional, but there’s a sentiment to it that just can’t be replicated with today’s technologies. There’s just something different about receiving a letter that’s been lovingly handwritten and handcrafted—it adds a personal touch that makes you feel extra special and loved.

And, it doesn’t necessarily have to be sent by snail mail—why, you can send handwritten letters to the person next door! It can be a secret conversation between two loved ones that’ll be theirs to keep forever.

If handwritten letters aren’t an option, you can always go for the email. It takes less time and effort.

2. Schedule Phone Calls

With how busy everybody is these days, it’s easy to forget to spend quality time with loved ones. So, if you’re finding it difficult to stay connected, why not schedule it on your weekly calendar? That way, you can set aside a time for your loved ones and also get reminders to keep in touch. It’s also a nice thing to look forward to every week, like Friday pizza night.

3. Be a Member of Social Media Platforms

We know social media can be pretty controversial, but you can’t deny how easy it is to connect with people these days. Social media platforms are like online worlds where you can chat with people, see what’s going on in their lives, and share a little about yours too. You can upload posts, photos, and videos and search for resources that you’re interested in, like a Facebook page dedicated to gardening.

Additionally, social media takes a huge weight off your shoulders by helping you do things at your own time and pace. Too tired to interact with people? Don’t feel like responding to a message just yet? Don’t worry about it—you’re in full control of the social media world.

Popular social media platforms at our hospice in Los Angeles include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Reddit, and Pinterest.

4. Hop On Conference Video Calls

Conference calls skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. People used apps like Zoom, FaceTime, and Discord to attend classes, host work meetings, have virtual date nights, or just catch up with a group of friends. While it certainly doesn’t beat real-life interactions, it’s the next best thing. Now, people won’t have to travel far or spend too much time meeting people—they can just hop on a conference call!

5. Play Online Games

There are tons of Internet games that you can play! There are ones that you play online, like Skribbl and Codenames, and ones that you can purchase and download, like Among Us and The Jackbox Party Pack.

Online games are great if you want to have fun with your family, friends, and other loved ones. They can be played from anywhere with stable Wi-Fi, meaning long distances will be no problem. You could even hop in on a call while you’re playing the game so you can have some fun banter and jests while playing!

Online games also keep the mind fresh and spry. As we age, our brain functions start slowing down due to the lack of mental stimulation. So, if you want to be mentally sharp, avoid depression, and have loads of fun while doing it, why not call someone and challenge them to a game?

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to stay connected! Physical health problems and crazy viruses can’t stop you from being with the people you love.