Many people live far away from the family or friends they care for. Long-distance caregivers usually provide for an aging parent or another family member, often while juggling personal responsibilities at the same time. Coordinating care and staying connected when your family member lives miles away can be tough.
Thankfully, there are many ways you can overcome these challenges and make sure your loved one gets the care they need. Read on for long-distance caregiving tips and resources to support you in your role.
What Is a Long-Distance Caregiver?
A long-distance caregiver is a family member living at least an hour away from the person they care for. People in this role take on various caregiving responsibilities, such as:
- Coordinating with local health care providers and other points of contact
- Helping with finances, money management, insurance claims or paying bills
- Ordering medical equipment, medication and other supplies
- Reminding loved ones to take their medications
- Organizing and updating important paperwork and records
- Hiring home-care services, such as 24/7 family caregivers
If you are a long-distance caregiver, you might coordinate these tasks with family, friends and other nearby caregivers.
Long-Distance Caregiving Challenges and Solutions
A big challenge in providing long-distance care is being able to handle logistical tasks, whether that’s scheduling various appointments, arranging for medication pickups or any of the many duties in between. Technology, like smartphone apps and digital calendars, can be helpful for keeping track of everything. If possible, reach out to someone who lives near your loved one in case in-person assistance is required.
If you’re taking care of a loved one from a distance, it’s natural to feel stress, anxiety or even guilt about the situation. You may wonder if you are providing adequate support. However, with self-care, a strong support system and proper planning, it’s possible to maintain your mental health while caring for a loved one. A professional therapist can help you identify and manage these negative thought cycles for a healthier perspective.
Essential Tips for Long-Distance Caregivers
Whether you live an hour away or are caring for someone in a different state, you’ll need some tips to navigate the emotional and logistical challenges. Here’s how to help aging parents and other loved ones from a distance:
Understand Their Health and Care
Communicating with health care providers and nearby friends and family is important to provide proper care. Learn about your loved one’s health, medications and needs. If they have health conditions, research them and look into resources like Medicare and Medicaid benefits. Have open conversations — ask your loved one directly what they need from you as their caregiver. Collect any legal, financial and medical documents and place them in a secure place that’s easy to find.
Keep a list of medications they need and when they need to take them — handling these logistical matters will make caring for your loved one easier while living long distance.
Create a Local Care Network
You don’t have to juggle caregiving responsibilities alone, especially when you live far away. Identify family members, friends or neighbors who can lend a hand or help in emergencies. Let them know what you might need and how they can contact you. You might also hire a family caregiver to help coordinate care.
Having someone who lives near your loved one can also act as a companion for your loved one, dropping in to say hello and keeping them company for a while. They can even keep in touch with you about any health changes they might notice, helping you identify problems before they become major health challenges.
Stay Connected
Keeping in touch is the most important thing you can do as a long-distance caregiver. Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to connect with loved ones through texting, email, phone calls and video. Video can be especially helpful, as seeing your loved one can give you peace of mind, knowing you can monitor for any issues not expressed over the phone.
While discussing their health is essential, make it a point to have fun during your conversations. Regular communication can do wonders for their emotional health, ensuring they have someone to turn to.
Track Health With Technology
Look into caregiving or medication tracking apps to help stay updated on your loved one’s health. These apps are especially beneficial for long-distance caregivers because they can give peace of mind that your loved one is following their medication schedules. They also let you track health data alongside providers or family caregivers from afar, making sure everyone is coordinated.
Plan Meaningful Visits
When you’re visiting, it can be tempting to spend the majority of time planning and making appointments. However, spending quality time with your loved one is important for both of you. Make the most of the time you have when you are there. Try to avoid distractions or schedule specific times to deal with them. Ask your loved one what they would like to do during your visit, whether grocery shopping, visiting friends or completing household projects.
Choose activities you both enjoy, such as watching a favorite movie, playing cards, going through old pictures or cooking a meal together. The quality time you spend with each other can help you overcome stressful hurdles and provide memories you cherish forever.
Have an Emergency Plan
Accidents happen, so it’s best to prepare for the unexpected. An emergency call button or specialized phone can be a helpful tool that gives your loved one immediate access to help if needed.
Make sure you set up a support system that can step in while you’re away, whether it’s someone who can help with your family, pets or job. Keep a list of contact information and roles. You might even pack a travel bag with essential items so you don’t have to think about what to bring.
Remember to Take Care of Yourself
While rewarding, caregiving puts a lot of strain on you. Be mindful not to neglect your own physical and mental health, and consider finding a local support group or hiring a family caregiver to share responsibilities with.
Caring for your mind and body empowers you to provide better care for your loved one, helping you reduce stress and maintain your well-being.
Support and Resources for Caregivers
From local support groups to community resources, there are many types of support services available for caregivers. Take advantage of them when caring for someone long-distance. For instance, you might look into what’s available in your loved one’s community by contacting their local Alzheimer’s Association. Many organizations can provide valuable information, resources and support networks.
You can also hire in-home or respite care services to help you manage caregiving duties. The family caregivers at Village Caregiving offer a range of services, including temporary relief and 24/7 home care. Remember, taking care of yourself and leaning on others when needed is essential in providing the best support for your loved one.
Get a Helping Hand From Afar With Village Caregiving
Caregiving from afar can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Village Caregiving can provide the support you and your loved one need. From companionship and respite services to medication reminders and help with daily living activities, we offer various care plans tailored to your loved one’s exact needs. Our providers also offer specialized care for chronic conditions like Alzheimer’s and Dementia, providing you with much-needed support.
Our compassionate and experienced family caregivers can provide peace of mind, knowing your loved one is safe, comfortable and well-cared for. Contact us today to discover how we can help bridge the distance and enhance your loved one’s quality of life.
Recent Comments