Visiting your loved one when they’re having medical difficulties can go a long way in reassuring them and helping them feel better. Below are some of our tips for visiting a loved one at New Franklin Center:

• Bring something along with you: Taking a small gift with you is not only a thoughtful, appreciative gesture, but can also help serve as a conversation starter. Take along recent snapshots of family members, or videos you’ve taken on your phone of your loved one’s grandchildren. Or, bring along a warm, cozy blanket or his or her’ favorite snack or dessert.

• Stay positive: Keep your visits optimistic and relaxed. Staying positive can go a long way in supporting and encouraging your loved one — whether he or she is going through the process of recovering from illness or surgery, or getting used to assisted living.

• Use caring body language: Keep the atmosphere warm and friendly by giving hugs, making eye contact, being a good listener, and also engaging other residents in conversation.

• Be aware of your communication style: Your loved one may have more difficulty hearing you than he or she used to. You might find it necessary to increase the volume of your voice. That doesn’t mean you need to shout, however. Simply talk at a louder and slower pace.

• Observe a rehabilitative session: Is your loved one going through a rehabilitation program? Attending a session with them can help them feel more motivated, encouraged and supported. Professional therapists and specialists at New Franklin, depending on your loved one’s needs, may provide treatments such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, exercise programming or speech therapy. If he or she must also continue exercises when they’re back at home after rehabilitation, attending a session could also be a good opportunity to learn these exercises yourself, in order to assist him or her with anything they might find difficult.

• Don’t feel intimidated by symptoms: Is your loved one struggling with dementia? When encountering symptoms like circular conversations or memory lapses, staying patient and optimistic is the best way to lend quiet support. Sometimes you might also need to repeat something. Above all, patience — and kind understanding — is key.

• Spend mealtime together: Centering your visit around a mealtime can be beneficial. The meal can serve as a conversation piece, and can give both of you something to focus on. You can also assist your loved one with eating, if he or she needs it.

• Schedule your visits in advance: Call the staff before you go to find out the best time for a visit. Sometimes, residents have the most energy after their midday meal, and may be tired during the evening. Calling the employees and asking his or her caretakers about scheduling is the best way to figure out when your loved one would most enjoy your visit.

• Be aware of visit length: Be attentive to body language in order to predict how your loved one is feeling about the length of your visit. Some residents may tire quickly and need a break, while others can’t get enough of conversing with you and would love if you stayed longer — every resident is different.