We designed each one around a theme. You’ll receive a checklist of how to prepare for the better visit, as well as basic materials and instructions. Each kit contains ideas for decorations, snacks and beverages, crafts, simple exercises and conversation topics.
Who did we design the Better Visit Kits for?
Welcome Guests in Their Homes Family Visitors Fun Together Volunteer Companions Making Connections Hoping for Visitors Care Providers Wanting to Help Friends & Family Keen to Promote Health
We want to shake up the culture of visits. That’s one of our goals. We want to transform visits from idle chit chats served with coffee in Styrofoam cups and a dose of complaining about the weather. Why is this so important to us?
During our consulting work in various health care organizations, many people opened up and shared concerns such as:
This is my home now and when people come to visit, I’d like to welcome them and have interesting things to do and talk about
Resident
My world has become much smaller, but I want to stay connected to people and what’s going on out there. I want to take charge.
Patient
I think I’m getting lazy with meals served to me and housekeeping done. When people come to see me, I don’t want to just talk about my aches and pains. Maybe visitors can help motivate me to do more.
Resident
I know I should visit more, but it is so boring at his house
Grandson
I feel awkward, I don’t know what to talk about.
Granddaughter
I’m concerned about her downtime between planned activities. I’d like to help her stay healthy – physically and mentally – for as long as possible
Spouse
When families come to visit, they often don’t know what to do. I’m not sure what to tell them – please help us
Health care provider
We carefully considered these requests and created visits in a box built around fun themes. Activities to boost body and brain health are integrated into every single kit. We wish to empower people hosting visitors with ideas, directions and the basic supplies. We also wanted to make it quick for busy visitors to grab and go ready-made kits, and perhaps involve kids in preparing for and enthusiastically taking part in the visits.
We encourage you to ask staff about what resources are available to make your visits special. For example, family dining room or social space; CD or DVD player; and coffee/tea mugs.
If you’re not quite ready to jump into the Better Visits Kits – you may like to dip your toes in more slowly. Try our Conversation Starter Kits.

If you’re interested in Better Visits kits but outside food is not allowed, please contact us. We’ll put together a special package.