If you have a family member in a senior care facility, you know exactly what challenges they have faced over the past year.

Perhaps you have struggled to find peace of mind about the safety, happiness and health of your loved one.

It’s easy to understand.

This past year has been filled with unprecedented events and circumstances. For many people with their family and friends in senior communities, it has been an intense journey.

It’s time to put an end to old school facilities that don’t engage residents. If you care about creating a better resident experience and optimal care for the elderly, you are not alone.

Many installations are discovering that new privacy support software allows them to engage individuals and stay focused on holistic health. With up-to-date data, it is quite possible to take preventive measures and significantly improve the care of residents. With better understanding, comes reduced risk.

Resident data includes entries and updates on social, behavioral, physical and medical status. Using these data points, senior service providers can assess, prevent, manage and be proactive. This creates a distinct benefit for communities and allows caregivers to personalize activities and take preventive and proactive measures.

If you have a loved one in a nursing home or retirement home, you can get involved by helping them stay active, engaged, and have purpose.

Let’s explore 5 ways you can be part of the solution to making aging a rewarding time in your life.

Celebrate sustainability

Many elderly residents are keenly aware of the climate crisis and advocate for sustainability. A great way to share this passion is to take the time to celebrate Earth Day.

Here in Houston, we have a plethora of activities for earth lovers. Whether it’s visiting Urban Harvest or taking a virtual tour of the Museum of Natural Science in Houston, this is a great opportunity to celebrate our planet together.

Commit to take care

Whether you’re trading a plant at Urban Harvest, buying one at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, or buying at your local nursery, plants make great gifts. Choose live plants for your loved ones.

Caring for plants is one of the easiest ways to help your loved one find purpose. From fresh herbs, flowers to succulents, taking care of a plant is a great way to get engaged.

Look for plants that are easy to maintain and require minimal watering. Keep an eye out for picking plants that will work for your loved one’s health and that are suitable for their location.

Reinforce the goal

Having a sense of purpose is vital for health and well-being. If you have children, help your children talk to their grandparents. Encourage children to have close conversations in person and from a distance. Experiment with virtual tours, paintings and storytelling.

Explore different activities and opportunities to share your interests. Many grandparents are eager to share their skills, interests and talents with their grandchildren. Think about activities that can be practiced virtually, as long as health restrictions recommend social distancing.

Many grandparents have a natural talent or hobby that they look forward to sharing with younger ones. Whether painting, drawing, knitting or building, there are many activities that can be shared in person and virtually.

Ask your loved ones what they would like to share with your children. You will develop a greater sense of meaning for everyone involved.

Encourage peace of mind

Over the past year, we’ve made a lot of adjustments. Social distancing has been a big change in most facilities for the elderly, as facilities adopt Protocols recommended by the CDC. Many establishments have adjusted their visitation policies, restricted interactions and encouraged virtual activities to comply with safety guidelines.

Everyone is looking for a way to achieve peace of mind. This is why new technologies are so popular. Now there is technology to monitor for fall detection, wander detection, or to determine if a resident is separated from essential medical equipment.

By using the latest technology, you and your loved ones can achieve a new dimension of peace of mind.

Simplify the ease

No one likes to struggle with passwords, programming and technological functions. You can streamline the ease with advanced technology and entertainment packages.

A lot of people struggle with technology because it isn’t organized and configured for ease. Explore all the ways you can help create a sense of well-being for your loved ones. Maybe Wifi could be faster, streaming and video conferencing easier. Help loved ones enjoy entertainment, access and connection.

Final thoughts

If you are looking for ways to improve the happiness and health of your loved one, now you have a place to start. Just use these 5 tips to get started, then add your own to continue.