Celebrating Together from Far Away

Celebrating the Holidays Together—Even When You’re Far Away

Helping seniors stay connected to family, faith, and familiar traditions during the High Holidays—and throughout the year.

With the Jewish High Holidays fast approaching, I find myself thinking about the people I will miss having at the table.

As an immigrant, I have family and lifelong friends spread across the country and around the globe. Holidays like these are when I miss them most.

When Attending in Person Is Not Possible

For me, it is easy to make a FaceTime call, stream a synagogue service, or join a family celebration online.

For seniors with limited mobility, attending in person may not be possible. If they do not feel comfortable using the apps, joining from home can be difficult too.

The technology may be available, but that does not mean everyone knows how to use it. A livestream link is only helpful if someone knows where to find it, what to press, how to adjust the sound, and what to do when something unfamiliar appears on the screen.

That is something I can help with.

A Familiar Service from Far Away

I have seen how meaningful it can be for seniors who have moved to warmer climates or other countries to watch services from the congregation they grew up in or once attended with their family.

The familiar prayers, music, and surroundings can bring back years of memories. It also allows someone to remain connected to a congregation that may still feel like home, even from hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Many places of worship now stream services through their websites, YouTube, or other apps. Sometimes a senior simply needs help finding the correct service, saving the link, selecting the best device, and practicing before the day arrives.

Technology cannot teleport Grandma’s famous brisket to the table—at least not yet—but it can bring her voice, smile, and presence into the room.

A Little Preparation Can Make a Big Difference

Joining a family dinner on an iPad may work better than using a phone with a small screen. Watching a service on a Smart TV may be more comfortable than sitting in front of a computer.

The best choice depends on the person, the event, and the technology already available in the home.

Smart Home Concierge can help with:

• Researching available services and online celebrations

• Setting up FaceTime or another video-calling app

• Choosing the most comfortable device

• Testing the picture, sound, and internet connection

• Saving the correct link so it is easy to find

• Practicing each step before the event

• Providing simple written instructions for later

The aim is not simply to get the technology working. The person using it should feel comfortable enough to do it again.

This Is Not Limited to One Faith or Season

The High Holidays made me think about this personally, but the need is not limited to one faith or one time of year.

Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and cultural organizations stream services and celebrations throughout the year. Families also use video calls for birthdays, weddings, holiday dinners, and other occasions that someone may be unable to attend in person.

Distance or limited mobility does not always have to mean missing out.

Don’t Leave It Until the Last Minute

It is much easier to test the sound, find the correct link, and practice a video call several days before the celebration. Nobody wants to be searching for a password while everyone else is sitting down to dinner.

If you or your parent in San Diego would like to participate from home, Smart Home Concierge can research what is available, help get it working on the right device, and patiently teach each step.

The holidays are fast approaching, so don’t leave it until the last minute. Your family needs to know how many places to set!

Selwyn ~ Your Smart Home Concierge