How Often Should You Visit a Family Member in Care?

The benefits of visiting family members in care

With 1.4 million older people in England suffering from loneliness, it is difficult to stress how valuable a visit can be. Regular visits can be a massive tool in combating loneliness, and this can also have a positive effect on the mental health of the person in care.

It is also important that you check your relative is receiving the care that you want. By visiting on a regular basis, you can enjoy the peace of mind that your loved one is in a safe environment, and you can build a good relationship with their carers. This will help you to build a better picture about the levels of care they are receiving and whether there are any concerns which need to be addressed.

Another issue that many elderly people start to experience is a feeling of helplessness, so a visit from time to time can help to give them a sense of purpose. Talk to them and ask questions that might be able to help them feel useful or needed. This could be practical advice on how to look after the garden, tips on how to get the kids to eat their vegetables or a bit of help with the crossword.

How often to visit?

There is no perfect number of visits that you should be making as everyone’s personal situation is different.

You need to consider factors like distance and family dynamics, to work out what is practical. The number of visits you make might be different to another relative who lives closer or further away, for example, so it is important to try and work as a team wherever you can.

It is important to remember that social isolation can lead to cognitive decline as well a decline in health and an increase in depression, so regular visits are vital to reassure your loved ones and give them something to look forward to. Try talking to the staff in the care home to gauge how often a visit is likely to benefit your loved one.

These carers spend the most time with your loved one and should be able to offer you some valuable insights. They will also be able to tell you if there are certain times of day which cause a difficulty, such as when particular types of care are being offered, or meals are being served.

Best Times To Visit

Evening visits can also be more challenging as residents tend to become tired and agitated, particularly if living with dementia.

Don’t forget to speak to your loved one themselves as well. They might prefer to spend their Thursday afternoon playing bingo and often do not want to feel as though they are burdening their loved ones.

There are also other ways that you can keep in touch these days without needing a face-to-face visit. Phone calls and video calls are an everyday part of life in many care homes and can help to maintain connections between loved ones even when time or transport makes it difficult.

There is no magic number on how many visits you should make to a loved one, just remember to prioritise them and ensure that they can catch up with the people they care about as regularly as possible.

Help & Advice

We understand that having a family member in care can be difficult, that’s why we’re here to help.

If you would like further advice and guidance, our team at Mariposa Care is happy to answer any questions you may have and provide you with information on our care experience. Visit our care page for further details or get in touch with our team today.

Alternatively, search our homes and learn about the facilities and specialty care options that we have available.