Simple Steps For Encouraging Close Bonds Between Care Home Residents & Their Families

After a range of studies have been completed, it’s been predicted that for seniors, close family bonds are incredibly important as they can significantly improve their life expectancy. The reason behind the fact that close family bonds can improve life expectancy is unknown. However, what we do know is that seniors who spend more time with their nearest and dearest tend to lead longer and happier lives.
 

Research has also suggested that for seniors suffering from dementia, strong family bonds are important. Studies have shown that 64 percent of dementia sufferers, including those living independently and in care homes, feel isolated from friends and family, as well as from society. So, it’s important to encourage the families of your residents with dementia to visit them on a regular basis. Even if a resident doesn’t remember a visit from their loved ones, if they are told about what happened on the visit, they may remember parts of it and feel comforted knowing that someone cares about them.
 

Studies have suggested that residents with and without dementia tend to be happier after a family member has paid a visit. Even if they can’t remember the visit itself, their mood seems to be better for a few hours to a few days afterward, making life that little bit more enjoyable for them.
 

Now, we know that spending time with loved ones is important for care home residents, but the question is, how can you encourage closer family bonds for your residents and their families? 

 

Be flexible with visiting hours
 

One of the most common reasons that family members of care home residents don’t see them on a regular basis is visiting hours. Often, the visiting hours that are in place may not fit around their schedules, making it hard for them to spend as much time together as they would like. To prevent this from being an issue, consider being more flexible with your visiting hours, allowing the family members of your residents more opportunities to visit.

 

Allow family members to eat together
 

When it comes to building strong bonds between family members, there’s no better way to do so than by getting them around a table together. Breaking bread as a family is an age-old tradition that goes back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. There’s something about sitting around a dinner table that gets everyone talking, helping to build closer bonds. So, if you don’t already, consider offering a family mealtime once or twice a week, where your residents can eat with their loved ones.

 

Encourage communication
 

Some residents’ family members may not be able to visit often, due to working away or because of other commitments. If this is the case, a great way to encourage strong bonds between a resident and a family member who they rarely see is via phone calls and video chatting. Technology has meant that even if a family member is a million miles away, it is still possible to talk face to face via Skype or FaceTime - how incredible is that? 

 

Allow residents to put family photos up in their rooms
 

We’ve spoken before about the importance of allowing your residents to personalise their bedrooms, and part of that is putting up family photos. Studies have shown that we tend to feel more connected to our loved ones if we have constant reminders of them about, such as photos and little keepsakes. So, allowing your residents to place family photos in their bedrooms is important for encouraging closer family bonds, leading to happier and more content residents.