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63 / Balanced Care Method Workbook Social Ties
Conversation
Spend at least one hour per day
conversing with your client. Try one of these
conversation starters to get to know your
client better and find things to talk about:
• What did you do for your 21st birthday?
40th?
• Where did you go to school?
• What was your favorite subject in school?
• Did you ever take dance lessons?
• Have you ever traveled to or lived in
another country?
• If you could visit any place in the world,
where would it be?
• What’s your favorite song?
• What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever
eaten?
• What’s your favorite movie?
• What’s the best costume you’ve ever
worn?
Reading a newspaper or magazine out loud
can also stimulate conversation. Choose a
story that interests both of you and discuss it
together.
Written and Oral Communication
Just one phone call a day can help people
feel connected to those they care about.
Make a list of the people your client has
fairly regular contact with and, working with
them and your client, draw up a schedule
for phone calls. Many people tend to make
phone calls to family on the weekends; a bit
of scheduling can help spread the phone
calls out over the course of the week.
Some older people enjoy writing letters to
friends and family members. Many seniors
may also find a great deal of satisfaction in
the tradition of sending cards for holidays.
Help your client maintain a list of people to
send cards to, shop for cards, and mail them
if this is important to him or her.
Email is another great, sometimes more
convenient way for seniors to stay in touch
– especially with younger family members.
Encourage your client to email with his or her
family and friends.
Skype and other video-enhanced web
communications are additional ways
for families to interact remotely – and
see growing grandchildren or greatgrandchildren
in action. Talk to your client’s
family about setting up a Skype or Google
Video Chat account.
Your client may enjoy engaging with others
– friends, family, or like-minded people – on
online gaming sites (i.e. Scrabble or bridge).
Some sites allow people to play in real-time
while others allow people to take their turns
at their convenience.
Visiting with Friends or Family
Visiting friends or family is, of course, the
best way to maintain social ties. You can
offer to pick up friends for a luncheon at the
client’s home and help prepare a meal for
them or hold an afternoon tea for neighbors.
Facilitate visits to family and friends’ houses
as well if at all possible. Some tips for making
visits successful:
• Plan the whole day, knowing how long
travel time is in particular
• Make sure your client is well-rested and
well-fed on visiting days
• Bring a snack and water
• Pack an extra jacket or sweater
• Keep visits to a length that doesn’t leave
your client overly tired