Staying connected with loved ones during COVID-19

During the coronavirus pandemic, everyone is recommended to socially distance themselves and here at Oak Creek Senior Living, we have had to stop allowing visitors to protect our residents who are very vulnerable to this illness.
However, this doesn’t mean we lose touch with the people who are most important to us. Instead, we have the opportunity to reconnect with them in different ways and in this blog post you will learn 10 tips to stay connected in a long-distance relationship with loved ones.


However, this doesn’t mean we lose touch with the people who are most important to us. Instead, we have the opportunity to reconnect with them in a different way and in this blog post you will learn 10 tips to stay connected in a long-distance relationship with loved ones.

  1. Video Calls. The closest thing to meeting in person is meeting over skype, facetime, or zoom. All of these are free ways that utilize technology so that people on both sides of the phone or computer can see each other in person and can talk. 
  2. Send letters. A great way to update family and friends is by sending letters or cards. You can become pen pals with your loved ones. Cards are delivered quickly and cost less than a dollar to send. 
  3. Mail kid’s artwork. Another fun way to connect with parents or grandparents is to send them your children’s artwork. A fun bright picture made for you would brighten anyone’s day. 
  4. Social media. Staying connected with social media is a great way for loved ones to see what is going on in each other’s lives when you can’t be present physically. Encourage your loved ones to post and share what they are up to at home, with work, or their accomplishments. One site that many people are using to stay updated is Facebook or Instagram and both are free.  
  5. Share photos. You can send or text photos back and forth with loved ones through text messages or even better in family group messages.
  6. Create care packages. A fun activity and something to look forward to is receiving care packages with all your favorite items in it. Each person has different needs and wants but to do this is really simple you just gather a few favorite items of your loved ones, write a note, and ship it to them in a box or envelope.
  7. Connect over shared interests or activities. One fun idea is to read the same books, watch the same movie or tv show, or play a similar game such as table tennis or even online games that you play with friends such as scrabble and you pick the other player. Even though you may be doing these things in different locations it is a great way to stay connected and makes for great conversations the next time you speak. 
  8. Record videos. Send your loved ones videos of what your day looks like, giving them a house tour, or explaining how to do something. This is great in the moment and can be really special to go back and look at later too. 
  9. Create scrapbooks. Making a scrapbook or photo book is a wonderful way to cherish the memories you’ve had together previously.  
  10. Pass things along. Another idea to stay connected to your loved ones is to wear things that remind you of them or that even were once theirs. Often your parents and grandparents will buy you things or pass things down to you that was theirs. Keep those items, it will help you feel connected to them when you can’t be together.

We hope these ideas help you to connect or even reconnect with loved ones during this challenging time. Remember, we are all in this together. 

Social isolation has been a tough adjustment for our residents here at Oak Creek. Family is and always has been our backbone. To be separated from those we love is a heavy feeling.

Our staff is doing all we can to facilitate virtual visits, telephone calls, letters, social media communications and “window visits” in order to keep our residents in contact with those dearest to them.

Here’s a photo from a recent window visit, a beautiful moment captured today as a daughter tells her mother she loves her behind the safety of a glass door. With tears in her eyes, and the eyes of everyone who witnessed it, Rosie got to tell Della how much she missed her, but reassure her that she was okay.

We appreciate your understanding, your support, and your efforts. It isn’t easy knowing that we could be the most dangerous thing in our residents’ world, but by keeping our distance we are keeping them safe. From all of us at Oak Creek, THANK YOU ❤.

As always, call us at any time with questions, concerns, or just to say hello. [email protected] or phone: 785-272-2601.