Staying connected with a loved one in long-term care isn’t always easy — especially when distance, schedules, or health concerns get in the way. But small, intentional gestures can make a world of difference in helping them feel seen, supported, and loved. Here are five meaningful ways to stay actively engaged, no matter where you are.

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1. Send a Weekly Memory Message

Try sharing a favorite memory, photo, or inside joke each week. Whether it’s a quick video, voice note, or written message, these familiar moments spark joy and help maintain emotional closeness.

“Remember when we used to bake cookies every Sunday? I can almost smell them now. I miss those moments with you.”

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2. Create a Shared Routine

Consistency provides comfort. Set a recurring time for a virtual coffee chat, prayer moment, or even watching the same TV show together. When they know they can count on you regularly, it brings peace and reassurance.

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3. Ask Questions That Invite Storytelling

Instead of asking “How are you feeling?” (which can be difficult to answer), try questions like:

• “What made you smile today?”
• “Who did you see around the community this week?”
• “What’s something you’re looking forward to?”

These open-ended prompts encourage richer, more joyful conversations.

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4. Celebrate Small Wins

Every improvement, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. Whether they took an extra lap during physical therapy or enjoyed a good meal, acknowledge it. Your encouragement builds motivation.

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5. Make Communication Accessible

If your loved one is not tech-savvy, make sure messages are delivered in simple formats — larger text, easy-to-play voice notes, or printed letters. The goal is making engagement effortless, not overwhelming.

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Staying connected doesn’t require grand gestures — it simply takes presence with purpose. At Their Side helps families communicate more easily and meaningfully through secure tools designed for both care teams and loved ones.

Because staying connected isn’t just important — it’s healing. 💙

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Want more ideas like this? Subscribe to our updates or explore our Resource Center for templates, message starters, and communication tips.

Taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do as a caregiver. Caregiving is not easy — not for the caregiver and not for the person receiving care. It requires sacrifices and adjustments for everyone. Often, family caregivers must juggle work and family life to make time for these new responsibilities.

Caring for an older adult can also be rewarding. Many people find that caregiving provides a sense of fulfillment and that they like feeling useful and needed. But the ongoing demands of taking care of someone else can strain even the most resilient person. That’s why it’s so important for you to take care of yourself. This article can help you find ways to look out for your own well-being so you can be there for others.

How do you know if you need help?

Caregivers do a lot for others. Because there is so much on their plate, many caregivers don’t spend time taking care of themselves. For example, they are less likely than others to get preventive health services, like annual checkups, and to practice regular self-care. As a result, they tend to have a higher risk of physical and mental health issues, sleep problems, and chronic conditions such as high blood pressure. They are even at an increased risk of premature death.

It’s not always obvious when a person needs help. Watch out for these signs of caregiver stress:

• Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or anxious
• Becoming easily angered or impatient
• Feeling lonely or disconnected from others
• Having trouble sleeping or not getting enough sleep
• Feeling sad or hopeless, or losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Having frequent headaches, pain, or other physical problems
• Not having enough time to exercise or prepare healthy food for yourself
• Skipping showers or other personal care tasks such as brushing your teeth
• Misusing alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications

Don’t wait until you are completely overwhelmed. Learn what your own warning signs are and take steps to minimize sources of stress where possible.