Connection Beyond Visits: How to Stay Engaged With Loved Ones at Laurel Heights
When someone you love moves to Laurel Heights, it often brings a sense of comfort and reassurance. You know they are in a safe, welcoming environment, surrounded by caring people and opportunities for connection. Still, it is natural to miss the familiarity of frequent visits. Work schedules, distance, or everyday responsibilities can make it difficult to be there as often as you would like.
The good news is that connection is not defined by proximity. It is built through presence, intention, and shared moments. With thoughtful communication, small gestures, and collaboration with our team, you can remain deeply connected to your loved one’s life at Laurel Heights, no matter where you are.
Understanding the emotional journey
Transitions bring a mix of emotions for everyone involved. Families often feel relief knowing their loved one is supported, alongside moments of guilt or longing. Residents may feel comfort in their new routines while also adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings.
At Laurel Heights, connection is not limited to visits. It lives in conversations, shared laughter, familiar voices, and the knowledge that someone is thinking of you. Even small interactions can provide reassurance, emotional grounding, and a continued sense of belonging.
Many families discover that connection becomes more intentional and meaningful over time. It evolves from routine visits into ongoing engagement that supports emotional well-being and strengthens relationships.
Using technology to stay close
Technology makes it easier than ever to stay connected across distances. These tools help families share everyday moments and remain part of each other’s lives.
Video calls
Video conversations offer a powerful sense of presence. Seeing familiar expressions and hearing a loved one’s voice can bring comfort and joy. Short, regular video calls often feel more natural and sustainable than occasional long conversations.
Messages and emails
Sending quick updates, photos, or notes helps your loved one feel included in your daily life. Sharing simple moments, such as a photo of a grandchild, a family meal, or a walk in the neighbourhood, creates continuity and connection.
Shared photo albums
Digital photo albums allow families to share memories continuously. These visual reminders help residents feel connected to their family story and daily life beyond the community.
At Laurel Heights, our team is always happy to assist residents with accessing video calls or using their devices, ensuring technology enhances connection rather than creating frustration.
Creating meaningful communication routines
Connection becomes stronger when it is consistent and predictable. Establishing small rituals gives both you and your loved one something to look forward to.
You might consider:
Scheduling a weekly phone or video call
Sending regular cards or handwritten letters
Sharing seasonal photos or family updates
Sending small care packages with familiar or comforting items
These rituals create rhythm and reassurance. They remind your loved one that they remain an important and valued part of your life.
Staying involved in daily life at Laurel Heights
Even when you cannot be physically present, you can remain connected to your loved one’s daily experiences.
Laurel Heights offers a vibrant lifestyle with opportunities for social engagement, enrichment, and wellness. Residents enjoy activities such as:
Group fitness programs like chair yoga and Zumba
Intergenerational activities and programs
Social and cultural celebrations
Dining experiences with friends and neighbours
Community events and seasonal festivities
You can stay involved by asking about these experiences during calls or visits. Showing interest in their daily life reinforces their sense of purpose and belonging.
Our team also keeps families informed through newsletters, updates, and open communication. We welcome collaboration and are always available to share insights about your loved one’s well-being.
Making visits meaningful
When you do visit Laurel Heights, the quality of your time together matters most. Meaningful moments do not require elaborate plans. Often, the simplest interactions are the most memorable.
You might:
Share a meal together in the dining room
Take a walk through the community or outdoor spaces
Visit the private movie theatre
Look through photos and reminisce
Sit and talk about familiar memories or family stories
These shared experiences reinforce emotional bonds and create new memories.
Even quiet moments can bring comfort and reassurance. Presence, attention, and warmth are what matter most.
Encouraging community connections
While family relationships remain central, friendships and social interactions within Laurel Heights play an equally important role.
Residents benefit from being part of a community where they can:
Form new friendships
Participate in shared interests
Engage in meaningful conversations
Feel seen, valued, and included
When you encourage your loved one’s participation in community life, you support their independence, confidence, and emotional well-being.
Many families find comfort in knowing their loved one is surrounded by people who care, understand, and share similar experiences.
Sharing memories and personal stories
Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to maintain connection across distance. Sharing memories reinforces identity, belonging, and emotional continuity.
You might:
Talk about family traditions
Share updates about relatives or friends
Reminisce about meaningful life experiences
Create a shared memory book or scrapbook
These exchanges honour your loved one’s life and strengthen emotional ties across generations.
They also provide comfort, joy, and a sense of ongoing connection.
Supporting emotional well-being
Maintaining connection involves emotional openness and reassurance. Your loved one may experience moments of adjustment, just as you may.
Simple actions can make a meaningful difference:
Listen attentively and with patience
Offer reassurance and encouragement
Celebrate milestones and achievements
Acknowledge their experiences and emotions
Feeling heard, valued, and remembered contributes significantly to emotional well-being.
Your consistent presence—whether through visits, calls, or messages—provides stability and comfort.
Partnering with the Laurel Heights team
Connection is a shared effort. Our team at Laurel Heights is here to support both residents and families.
We help facilitate communication, encourage engagement, and ensure residents feel connected to the people and experiences that matter most to them.
By sharing your loved one’s preferences, interests, and routines, you help us create an environment that reflects who they are. This collaboration ensures care is not only supportive but also deeply personal.
Families are always welcome to reach out, ask questions, and remain actively involved.
Connection is built on intention, not distance
Being physically apart does not weaken your bond. In many ways, intentional communication can deepen relationships and create new forms of closeness.
A phone call. A shared laugh. A familiar story. A simple message saying, “I’m thinking of you.”
These moments carry profound meaning.
At Laurel Heights, your loved one is part of a caring and connected community. And through your continued presence, whether near or far, you remain an essential part of their life.
Connection is not defined by how often you visit. It is defined by love, attention, and the ongoing thread that keeps you connected every day.
Continue your journey here
Looking to take the next step or simply stay connected? Here are a few helpful links:
Contact us – We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.
Book a tour – Come experience our community in person.
Virtual tour - Discover the warmth of our community from wherever you are.
Visit our YouTube channel – See daily life, special moments, expert interviews and resident stories in action.
About Laurel Heights
Located in Edmonton’s peaceful Meadows area, Laurel Heights is a senior living community that blends comfort, culture, and connection. With a focus on inclusivity, it offers a nurturing environment where residents can enjoy independence while being supported by a caring community. The residence boasts modern, spacious suites tailored for both Independent and Supportive Living, thoughtfully equipped with amenities such as kitchenettes and emergency call systems to ensure safety and convenience. Managed by Optima Living, a trusted operator with over 15 years of experience in Western Canada, Laurel Heights is dedicated to providing exceptional senior care, ensuring that every resident leads a fulfilling and dignified life.
