How to Stay Connected: Phone Calls, Video Visits, and Mail at Murphysboro

In the Murphysboro survey, most respondents (64.29%) said they didn't get at least one free phone call in the last week. Video visits were a mixed bag: 24.39% reported getting a free video visit that worked, while 36.59% said they didn't get one at all. Another 21.95% said their video visit had bad service or got cut short. Mail stood out as the most reliable option - 95% said they could send and receive mail in the last week.

Plan for gaps in phone contact. With 64.29% of respondents saying they didn't receive at least one free phone call that week, you may go stretches without hearing anything by phone - even if you're ready and waiting.

Video visits are possible but far from dependable. About a quarter of respondents (24.39%) had a free video visit that worked. A larger group (36.59%) didn't get one at all, and another 21.95% reported problems - bad service, visits cutting short. Treat video as a "try it and see" option. Great when it connects. Frustrating when it doesn't.

If you need a steadier way to stay present in their life, mail is often the backbone. In the same survey week, 95% of respondents said they could send and receive mail. Letters keep the connection going when calls or video fall through - you can still share updates, encouragement, and everyday life without relying on a connection that may not come.

Practical Steps

• ✓ Agree on a simple contact plan (for example: “If you can’t reach me, try again the next day,” or “If video fails, we’ll switch to letters until it’s working again.”)
• ✓ Keep a short “phone-ready window” when you’re usually available, so missed or last-minute calls have a better chance of connecting.
• ✓ Ask your loved one to tell you what tends to work better for them right now (phone, video, or mail), then lean into that option.
• ✓ Write consistently, even when you’re also trying to do phone/video - mail can fill the gaps when other contact doesn’t happen.
• ✓ Put dates in your letters and keep a running thread of topics (family news, questions, reminders) so it’s easier to pick up the conversation later.
• ✓ If a video visit cuts out, decide ahead of time what you’ll do next (wait for a reconnect, try again another day, or follow up by mail).

Questions to Ask

• ✓ Did you get at least one free phone call this week?
• ✓ If you didn’t get a free call, do you know why (schedule, access, or something else on your unit)?
• ✓ Did you get a free video visit this week?
• ✓ If video happened, did it connect cleanly and stay connected, or did it cut short?
• ✓ If video didn’t happen, is there a specific day/time you’re usually told it will be available?
• ✓ Can you send and receive mail right now without issues?
• ✓ Are letters coming in at a steady pace, or are there delays you’ve noticed?
• ✓ What’s the most reliable way for me to get you time-sensitive information this month (mail vs. waiting for calls/video)?

Before you build plans around a call or video session, verify what access looks like right now. The survey shows many respondents didn't receive a free phone call that week (64.29%), and only 24.39% reported a free video visit that worked - conditions vary. A quick check-in with your loved one (or the facility, if needed) can save you a lot of stress.