Bringing the Grandkids: Why Children Are Always Welcome Here
Some of the best afternoons at Grace Haven happen when a car pulls up and children spill out of it. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren are always welcome, and residents light up when they come.
Why it matters to your parent
A visit from a grandchild gives a resident something to tell everyone at supper for a week. It is a reason to get dressed up, to show off the room, to introduce a friend. For residents with memory loss, children often reach them when adults cannot.
Making visits easy
- Bring something to do together: a puzzle, cards, a coloring book, a photo album.
- Keep it short for little ones. Forty-five minutes of attention beats three hours of restlessness.
- Use the dining room or the patio when the weather is good. There is room to move.
- Come for an event. The Fall Festival, the Halloween costume afternoon, and the Christmas carols are built for families.
Teens and young adults
Older grandchildren sometimes feel awkward about visiting. Give them a job: set up a video call, read the paper aloud, take Grandma for a walk around the building. A role makes the visit easier.
Between visits
Cards and drawings go on the dresser and get shown to the neighbors. A standing Sunday phone call is easy to keep. And our Facebook page lets the whole family see what Grandpa was up to on Tuesday.
Bring the kids along on your tour. Call (231) 824-7770.
Tours any day of the week. (231) 824-7770 · Manton, MI
