This year has been challenging for so many people. Especially for older individuals, social distancing has been a challenge. Let’s face it: grandparents miss their grandchildren. And just as grandparents miss their grandchildren, so do their grandkids miss them. It has been rough for everyone. Fortunately, there are ways to connect with grandchildren that will not compromise safety.
Share Hobbies
Companionship is crucial for people of all ages, but it is especially important for grandparents and grandchildren. One way that grandparents can continue to connect with their grandkids is by sharing their hobbies. Grandparents can write letters back and forth to their grandchildren. They can also start a book club together. They can talk to each other over a video streaming platform about how their hobbies are going to stay connected.
Read Together
One of the sweetest ways to stay connected is to read together. Setting up a designated time each week to video chat is crucial for this activity. Instead of talking, grandparents can read their grandchildren’s favorite books to them remotely. Doing so will help maintain that connection without feeling forced. It will also open up a discussion that both parties will absolutely love!
Meet Grandkids at the Park
Social distancing doesn’t have to keep grandparents from actually seeing their grandkids. Meeting outside and maintaining distance is a great way to spend time with loved ones. Watching the grandchildren play and have fun is a great way to spend the warm days, and in turn, the grandchildren will have fond memories.
Share Old Memories
Speaking of memories, grandchildren love hearing stories about their parents and grandparents. One great way to stay connected is to share memories back and forth with grandchildren. Whether that means showing old pictures over a video streaming service or telling stories over the phone, sharing memories is one of the best ways to stay connected.
This past year has presented unique challenges for families everywhere, but that doesn’t mean that you have to be isolated from your family. For grandparents missing their grandchildren, there are creative solutions to keep everyone together.
Jimmy Clonaris is Managing Partner at BlueDot Cares, where he oversees operations, caregiver standards, and service delivery for in-home care across the organization. With more than 19 years of experience in healthcare and over a decade with BlueDot, he has been directly involved in building and scaling care programs that support individuals aging at home.
His work focuses on the practical side of care delivery. This includes caregiver training and oversight, care plan consistency, and coordination with families and local healthcare professionals. Jimmy is actively involved in ensuring that care is not only well-structured on paper, but executed reliably in the home.
Over the course of his career, he has worked with thousands of families navigating care decisions, from short-term recovery support to long-term in-home care. His approach is grounded in clear communication, accountability, and building systems that allow caregivers to deliver consistent, high-quality support.
Under his leadership, BlueDot Cares has grown to support tens of thousands of families while maintaining a locally operated, relationship-driven model. He continues to focus on strengthening the team, improving care standards, and ensuring families have a dependable partner when care is needed.
