Don’t Let the Miles Keep You from Being an Effective Long-Distance Care Provider

Watching your parents grow old is never easy, and trying to provide love and care from afar can present its own unique set of challenges. Long-distance caregiving requires some planning in order to keep your loved one happy, safe and cared for, even when you cannot be there. Here are some ways you can make sure your senior loved ones receive the support and care they need. 

Stay Connected with Your Loved Ones

A major challenge for long-distance caregivers is feeling like they are involved in the health and well-being of their senior loved ones, but advances in technology make it easier than ever for you to always stay connected. There are devices to keep track of your parents’ activity levels, the state of their health, and even their location. Medical alert devices have come a long way in recent years as well, and current models can detect falls and call for help without any actions from your loved one.

While these health and wellness trackers can come in handy for keeping an eye on your loved one, you should also seek out ways to really stay in touch with one another. Loneliness can be a powerful force for seniors, even if they are surrounded by others in a skilled care facility. Seniors who feel disconnected from loved ones are more likely to experience anxiety and depression, but technology can help with this as well. Some smartphones are fairly simple for seniors to learn how to use, and enable your loved one to connect with family members via text, calls, video chat and even social media.

Stay Informed About Their Health and Care Choices

Peace of mind is crucial when you are a long-distance caregiver, especially when it comes to your loved one’s health. That’s why it is important to understand the healthcare coverage and choices that are best for your senior’s life. Since Medicare is the primary coverage for most American seniors, you can start by getting more familiar with the various plans and add-ons that are available for your loved one. It’s also important to note that Medicare does not cover long-term care expenses, which can make covering care costs for your loved one a little more challenging.

If your relative does not have long-term care insurance, you may need to research other ways to pay for the care they need to stay comfortable and safe. You may be able to use equity built into their home to offset expenses, or you could find a more affordable option for long-term care. Being able to help your loved one with these kinds of decisions is a crucial element of long-distance caregiving, so you should also make sure any essential legal paperwork is completed to grant you the authority to do so.

Be Aware of the Dangers of Caregiver Burnout

Caring for an aging parent can be challenging enough without the added stress of providing that care from afar. While you may not be responsible for providing daily care, you are ultimately responsible for your loved one’s well-being. The stresses of senior caregiving are very real, even for long-distance providers, so it is important to practice essential self-care. Yoga and meditation are positive and powerful tools for combatting caregiver stress, but you can also look for other ways to relieve your worry. Look for support from other loved ones and friends or even online groups. Finding help with your questions and worries can be especially helpful if you are providing care for a parent with Alzheimer’s, dementia or another chronic condition.

If you feel like you are beginning to burn out or are experiencing any overwhelming emotions, it may also be a good idea to see a counselor. After all, your loved one is depending on you to make decisions and help them with their care, and you cannot effectively do so if you are not taking care of your mental health.

There’s no fool-proof way to relieve all the stresses of long-distance caregiving, but at least you can lessen some of your worries. Plan to keep your loved one happy and healthy, and give yourself the peace of mind you need.

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