Keeping Family Close and In Home Caregivers

Our families continue to grow older and as each year passes, distance can come between us.  It is more important than ever to create a bond that will keep your family close even when the miles separate.  One way to develop closeness in the family is to create a ritual and maintain it.  Even the simple act of eating a meal together with no distractions such as a cell phone or television is enough time to make sure that the family has sufficient and consistent contact.  If you have an elderly loved one in your life that lives alone, perhaps a weekly meal such as Sunday dinner can be prepared at their home.  This will help them to feel connected to the family and will set them up for a refreshed and positive mood for the new week ahead.

It can be very tempting to sign up for every activity and sport available for your family.  It is important to not overbook yourself so that you can still take the time to spend downtime together.  It’s the lazy weekends spent lounging over brunch and conversation that build memories.  Crammed schedules and rushing from commitment to commitment can be very overwhelming.  Time spent together doing nothing can be more fulfilling than attending many hectic events. 

Whenever possible, use positive reinforcement with each other.  When there are actions that make you happy and proud, be sure to let your family members know.  Acknowledgement when someone does right can go a long way to building a trusting and positive relationship.

Another way to keep family close is to limit the amount of television you watch when together.  Turning the TV off, especially during meal times, is crucial to making that time useful for focusing on each other.  Television can be very distracting and meaningful conversations fall by the wayside.

If distance separates you from your loved ones, there are ways to stay close with technology.  Many social media sites like Google Plus and chat programs such as Skype can keep you connected over the miles.  A regular phone conversation, even just to say hello, can go a long way to keeping family close. 

If you would like to learn more about caring and consistent in-home caregivers for the elderly and the many benefits of professional in-home senior care or dementia and Alzheimer’s care, call Senior Helpers of Santa Barbara to speak to a senior care specialist today 805-687-7777!   The compassionate senior care specialists at Senior Helpers can also guide you through the process of receiving the Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance Benefit if your elderly loved one is a veteran.   In home senior care and in home assisted living allows your loved one to stay in the comforts of their own home for as long as possible while receiving the level of care they need. Senior Helpers of Santa Barbara provides a wide range of services including Alzheimer’s and dementia care, personal assistance, companionship, and so much more to all areas of Santa Barbara, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Ynez, and Carpinteria, California.