Enhancing Family Bonds With Assisted Living Communication Tools
Consistent communication is essential for senior wellness as older adults experience growing rates of isolation, health issues, memory loss, and emotional stress. These challenges are exacerbated by such events as family relocation or the loss of a spouse. Even retirement can destabilize a person's sense of purpose and family bonds, leading to mental wellness concerns.
Research published in the National Library of Medicine found that 42% of study participants over 65 experience hearing problems. 26% of seniors experience writing problems due to age-related health issues, including cognitive decline and memory loss. Another 7% of participants report challenges with using a phone.
The above findings reinforce the importance of using senior care technology to improve family engagement, cognitive health, and overall senior wellness. Learn more in this guide below.
Communication Strategies for Hearing Loss
One of the biggest challenges to address early is hearing loss. Seniors should visit their physicians regularly to ensure they have the latest hearing devices and treatments. This protocol also includes phone upgrades for people with hearing loss.
Seniors may use special phones with transcription screens so they don't miss a detail. These special phones help seniors keep up with conversations. There are also speaker phone upgrades to assist seniors struggling with arthritis in the wrist or other ailments that make it difficult to hold a receiver or dial a number.
Headset phones are also available for seniors who benefit from hands-free communication technology. Cars with integrated hands-free calling and transcription, which allow seniors to call family members, doctors, or emergency services without pressing a button, are also available.
Communication Solutions for Eye-Related Issues
Seniors with worsening eyesight may adjust the transcription font on their phones to a larger size. Reading machines specifically for seniors are also available. These machines are compatible with a range of devices, including phone transcription screens, computers, and smartphones.
Reading machines also come with "mice" that allow seniors to scroll over books, newspapers, and other print materials. The mouse projects images onto the screen and displays them in a much larger font. The font size may also be adjusted.
Laptops function as reading machines too. Email is one of the most important communication avenues for seniors. Older adults can adjust the font size on the screen for easier reading.
Tablets and touchscreen laptops are also available for seniors. These devices are user-friendly and may be controlled with voice activation. Font and application windows can be adjusted, making touchscreen buttons larger.
Senior-Friendly Email Tips
Smartphones have revolutionized communication for seniors.
Families can set up family cell phone plans, putting all family members on the same plan. Families can also initiate group phone calls and group texting; it's a great way to alert all family members at the same time about important news, holiday dinner plans, graduations, and more events.
Email is another essential communication tool for seniors. It's easy (and free) to sign up. Popular email clients include:
- Gmail
- MSN
- Yahoo
- Outlook
- Mail.com
Gmail is the most popular email service and comes packed with free features to enhance communication for seniors. Seniors can message friends and family in real-time over Gmail chat, also known as Google Meet.
Seniors can also do the following in Gmail to enhance communication:
- Organize email into separate categories
- Start (or flag) important emails
- Reply to emails
- Forward emails
- Archive old but important emails
- Compose group emails
- Attach photos and videos to emails
- Use templates to create invitations
Family members can add seniors to Gmail groups to keep everyone in the loop over email. Gmail is also accessible on computers, tablets, and smartphones.
Voice Conferencing Apps for Seniors
Next on the list are voice conferencing apps. These tools include such apps as Skype, Whatsapp, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. Seniors love these apps because they can see the person they're talking to, which positively impacts communication and mental health.
These apps allow seniors to communicate with groups of people at the same time. Users talk to multiple people using a grid interface. Seniors can see the whole family on their screen, an ideal solution for holiday calls and birthday messages.
These tools are frequently used in online courses, including AARP's Senior Planet educational platform for older adults. It's a great way to meet new seniors and communicate with the whole class at once.
Telehealth professionals also use video conferencing apps to communicate with senior patients, as well as long-distance caregiving. More mental health professionals use these apps in their sessions. Seniors don't have to drive to an office or depend on transportation to see a wellness professional.
Strengthen Family Bonds With Social Media
Social media is quickly becoming a go-to communication tool for seniors. User-friendly platforms like Facebook are packed to the brim with features to foster family engagement.
Seniors can do the following:
- Post photos
- Communicate in real-time using Facebook Messenger
- Update friends and family through status updates
- Join local groups (i.e., alumni groups, social clubs, etc.)
- Share videos
Users add friends and family members with the friend request feature. These users are added to the senior's friends list.
Another app growing in popularity among seniors is Nextdoor. Seniors join communities specific to their neighborhood. Users can post neighborhood updates, plan community events, initiate discussions on local issues, and introduce new members to the community.
Instagram is another popular app. Anyone with a Facebook account can set up an Instagram account without additional information. Instagram is a photo-sharing app that allows seniors to post and view family photos, including videos.
Discover More Assisted Living Apps
Don't miss a moment to strengthen family bonds. Seniors need a toolbox of communication apps and devices to stay connected and engaged. These communication strategies will lead to marked improvements in wellness.
Addington is committed to the mission of senior wellness. We're staffed with highly-trained senior living professionals from the therapeutic, culinary, and recreation sectors. We welcome all prospective residents to book a tour of our vibrant community to learn more.
We're also available to talk! Contact us today to discuss your long-term goals for senior living.