Long-distance caregiving is common in the United States. About 34 million Americans provide ongoing care for an elderly loved one. Out of this number, approximately 15 percent serve as long-distance caregivers. They live at least an hour’s drive away from their aging parents.

While it seems impractical to supervise a vulnerable older adult from afar, providing essential care is possible. It is a fact that adult children who live one or more hours away are unable to be with an aging parent at all times—but resources are available to overcome this obstacle.

1. Learn about the parent’s condition

Understanding an elderly parent’s condition helps shape a care plan. Find out what illnesses the senior has been diagnosed with, medications they’ve been prescribed, and local resources that can be of help when needed; calling their doctor(s) is often helpful.  It’s also important to know what is involved in the caregiving process.

By being aware of the parent’s condition, a long-distance caregiver can better anticipate the course of illness, prevent or manage a crisis, and assist in healthcare management. Conversations with the senior’s healthcare team are also easier; obtain written permission to receive their medical information.

2. Assess strengths

A long-distance caregiver, no matter how well-intentioned, cannot accomplish all caregiving tasks single-handedly. A successful care plan involves others. Adult children should evaluate their skill sets and handle caregiving tasks in which they excel, such as money management or communications.

For example, a sibling who is responsible for handling money might agree to manage the elderly parent’s finances. A relative who is a savvy organizer can offer to coordinate medical care and keep track of the senior’s important documents. Excellent communicators keep the family in the loop.

3. Hold family meetings

Once skill sets are assessed, hold a family meeting. Gather family members together via Skype, FaceTime, or a phone call to discuss the issues surrounding the senior’s care and what contributions are needed from each individual. Develop a plan of action that works for everyone’s abilities and schedules.

Once the care plan is in place, keep all involved siblings updated on the elderly parent’s progress, changes in health, and unanticipated issues that arise. If relatives are unwilling to help, make arrangements for support from available resources, like home care agencies and adult day centers.

4. Plan regular visits

In-person visits are integral to the success of long-distance caregiving. It is important that adult children personally see their elderly parents to understand their overall health as well as the condition of their home. Several tasks may need to be accomplished during each brief visit.

Discuss wants and needs with the elderly parent before the visit. An aging mother may want a new dress for the summer. Dad may need work done at his home. Prioritize tasks that are most essential. Handle pressing needs first and less important ones at later visits.

During these visits, spend quality time with the elderly parent. Suggest activities that are unrelated to caregiving, such as watching a movie, looking over old pictures, cooking a family recipe, or planning a visit with old friends. Making time for simple activities relaxes everyone and creates more good memories.

5. Develop an emergency plan

Accidents are a part of life, making it critical that long-distance caregivers create an emergency plan. If the aging parent falls or suffers an injury, there must be a responsible adult ready to assist the senior’s right away. Ideally, that person should be one of the children.  Keep a travel bag packed with essentials ready for traveling on short notice.

6. Keep in touch

Conference calls are an ideal way to hold conversations with multiple relatives as well as with the senior’s doctors. Seek to identify a family friend or neighbor who has intimate knowledge of what is happening with the elderly parent and stay in contact with them regularly to have another perspective of what is going on in your loved one’s life.

Maintain a current list of important phone numbers and emails of people in the support network. Also give Mom or Dad a mobile phone and teach them how to use it. Adult children can anticipate being inundated with calls or text messages; develop a workable approach to cope well in advance.

7. Hire local caregivers

Professional caregivers can be hired to supervise and provide daily support to an aging parent. Their assistance is invaluable and comforting to adult children who are unable to provide in-person care for a senior from afar.

Adult children who assume the role of long-distance caregiver find the elder care from Assisting Hands Home Care to be an important resource. We offer a wide range of comprehensive non-medical home health care to seniors of all ability levels in the comfort and familiarity of home.

Each care plan is customized to fulfill the individual care needs of seniors. We are available to provide 24-hour care, live-in care, and in-hospital and post-hospitalization care. Family caregivers appreciate our respite care option. Trained dementia caregivers support seniors with Alzheimer’s disease.

All our care services include help with personal hygiene tasks, medication reminders, transportation to areas in the community, light housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping errands, and companionship. Our help with daily routines ensures aging care recipients eat nutritiously, stay hydrated, and remain safe and comfortable.

Assisting Hands Home Care is the solution for adult children who are concerned about the well-being of their elderly parents in BallenIsles,  Boynton Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Singer Island, Wellington, West Palm Beach, FL  and surrounding areas. Schedule a free in-home consultation and we’ll develop a hands-on care plan that meets care needs. Call us today at  (561) 566-5989 to schedule a complimentary in-home consultation.