Staying Connected: How We Help Residents Keep in Touch with Loved Ones

At Wardside House, we believe that excellent care is more than just meeting physical needs—it’s about nurturing emotional wellbeing. One of the strongest ways we do that is by helping our residents to stay deeply connected with their families and friends. We know how important these bonds are, not only for our residents’ happiness but also for the peace of mind of families who entrust us with their loved ones. Here’s how we use technology, visits, and events to maintain and strengthen those connections—and why it matters.

The Ways We Keep Families Close

Technology as a Bridge

We provide access to tablets or computers so residents can video call with family and friends from anywhere. This is particularly helpful for those who live far away or when weather or health makes travel difficult.

For many, exchanging messages, sharing photos or family story updates helps them feel involved in everyday life. Our staff are happy to assist residents who may be unfamiliar with tech.

Sometimes we help create digital scrapbooks or slideshows of special moments so residents and family can look back together. These become treasures, especially for those living with memory loss.

Frequent, Welcomed Visits

We encourage families to drop by. Our homely, warm environment means visiting doesn’t feel formal, but comfortable and supportive.

We work with families to arrange visits at times that suit everyone, including evenings or weekends, as needed. If there are mobility or transport issues, staff can help with organizing or facilitating.

For special occasions, or for relatives who live far away, we can sometimes arrange extended visits so the family can spend quality, undisturbed time together.

Shared Activities and Events

We organise regular events like tea mornings, barbeques, and seasonal celebrations and invite family members to join. These aren’t just for residents—they’re for the whole network: friends, grandchildren, siblings.

Whether it’s music, crafts, or gardening, we try to host sessions where relatives can come in and take part with their loved ones. This helps maintain shared interests and memories.

Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays—they’re all opportunities to bring families together. We plan these collaboratively with family input so they’re meaningful and tailored.

Why This Matters—and Why It Works

Emotional Wellbeing Is Health

Strong, loving connections aren’t a luxury—they’re a core part of wellbeing. Studies show that regular contact with family reduces anxiety, loneliness and can even help cognitive health. Feeling supported and socially engaged often correlates with better mood, sleep, and appetite.

Trust and Peace of Mind for Relatives

When families see that their loved one is not isolated, that they are still part of family life—even if they’re living in care—they feel reassured. They know Wardside House cares not just about medical and physical needs, but for the person as a whole. This trust builds stronger relationships between the family, resident, and our staff.

Preserving Identity and Memories

Even small things—a phone call, seeing grandchildren’s smiling faces on a screen, smelling cake at a family gathering—these all help maintain identity and personal history. For residents with dementia, consistency in relationships and familiar faces is deeply comforting.

Community and Belonging

We are a family‑run community home in the Perthshire Hills. As stated on our site, we put kindness, dignity and personal attention at the heart of all we do. When families are involved, residents feel less “moved into care” and more “living within a caring community.” That sense of belonging helps improve mood, participation, and overall quality of life.

Tips for Families: How You Can Make the Connection Stronger

Plan ahead. Schedule regular calls or visits. Even short, frequent check‑ins are better than occasional long ones.

Bring meaningful items. Photos, favourite music, something that reminds your loved one of home.

Share news and changes. Let the care home know about things happening in family life so residents feel included—births, achievements, changes in routine.

Be present and patient. Even when conversations are hard, presence matters. Listening, even in silence, or sharing small moments can make a big difference.

Our Promise at Wardside House

At Wardside House, we strive to ensure residents never feel cut off. From technology‑enabled connections to purposeful events and welcoming visits, we commit to treating each resident like family, not just a facility case. Our values—kindness, dignity, compassion—are reflected in everything we do, especially in helping people stay connected to what and who they love.

Because to us, care isn’t only about medical attention—it’s about being human.