Family Caregiver Tips: How to Provide Long Distance Care for an Elderly Loved One
Elderly Care in Cascade MI
When an aging parent or relative is in need of in-home care and they live in a different state or country, it is not always possible for the family caregiver to uproot their life and move to be near 
their loved one. This may cause feelings of guilt for not living closer, as well as anxiety over what help you will be able to provide from a distance. Luckily, there are plenty of things that can be done to strengthen the bond between you two and to make sure you are aware of your loved one’s changing condition at all times. With these tips, you will have the ability to stay in close contact with your loved one and their medical team, no matter where you live.
Meet the care team
If a home care aide has been hired to provide elder care, it is important that you meet this person at least once to find out exactly what care they are providing and how they are helping your loved one. Since this person or team of people will be spending a great deal of time with your loved one, it will help to put a face to a name. Also, stay in touch with their care team through email, social media, text messages, or phone calls in order to find out what the current status of your loved one’s health is and if there have been any changes or problems. By staying in contact with them, you will be just as involved in your aging parent’s health care as if you lived near them.
Surround your loved one with pictures
Put several pictures of you and your family around the house as a constant reminder to your elderly parent that they are loved and cared about. If you have young children, have them send their grandparent pictures they created at home or school to put on their refrigerator or wall. These pictures will allow the senior to reminisce over fond memories or can be used as a reminder that they have a family who cares about them.
Recruit a team
To make sure your loved one gets the care and attention they need, having siblings or other family members who live nearby will help. These people can be your eyes and ears when you are unable to travel to the elder’s home. They will also be able to attend face-to-face meetings with your loved one’s doctor that you would not be able to go to.
Create a plan
Even distant caregivers can stay on top of their loved one’s bills, finances, doctor appointments, and activities by coming up with an organizational plan. This plan will keep track of all of this important information, as well as those people who will assist your loved one with the task, such as transporting them to doctor appointments. This plan will be much easier to communicate to others involved if it is in writing, making it more difficult for any errors in communication to occur.
Being a long distant caregiver can be challenging, but by having other family members help, creating a written plan, surrounding them with pictures, and meeting the medical team, you will be just as involved from another location.
If you or someone you know needs help with elderly care services in Cascade, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
Source
Yosuico, Isabella. “Tips for Long Distance Caregivers.”
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