Many caregivers live a long distance away from their senior loved ones. While this position does pose a few challenges compared to living next door or in the same town, you can still provide your loved one with high-quality care no matter where you live. Try these tips to overcome common challenges created by distance so you feel good about your role as a caregiver.
Create a Caregiving Fil
Living far from your loved one means you cannot just drop in and go through his or her bills or files when you have a question. Create a file with everything you need right in your own home. Gather information such as a list of your loved one’s current prescriptions, the names and phone numbers of his or her doctors, as well as copies of documents such as a living will. You’ll be glad to have these things handy if your loved one is incapacitated and unable to tell you critical information.
Learn About Your Loved One’s Health Conditions
You should also know about each one of your loved one’s health conditions, as this may help you make plans for how to handle sudden changes in health and prevent a serious condition from progressing. Be willing to do some research online or join a support group in your community where you can gain valuable insight into what your loved one’s life is like each day.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional senior care. Clearwater families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Reach Out to Your Loved One Regularly
Your loved one may not always call you with every little thing that goes wrong. If your loved one lives alone, he or she is also at risk for having a medical emergency that goes unattended until someone else notices. Establish regular times for phone calls or video chats with your loved one. He or she will look forward to hearing from you, and you can make sure all is well on a daily or weekly basis.
Balance Your Visits with Careful Planning
You likely have a to-do list a mile long for when you get to visit your loved one. However, you also want to make sure you can drop your caregiver role for a little while and just enjoy your loved one’s company. Consider arranging for a professional caregiver to drop by and do housecleaning tasks while you catch up with your loved one. These precious moments strengthen your bond and give you more insight into how to continue to provide high-quality care.
There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading Clearwater Home Care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
Inquire About Socializatio
It’s too easy to get so caught up in worrying about your loved one’s physical health that you forget about his or her emotional wellbeing. Ask about your loved one’s friends and social activities. If your loved one mentions he or she hasn’t talked to anyone but you in days, you may need to help him or her find people to socialize with a few times a week, such as an in-home caregiver.
Being a long-distance caregiver for a senior parent can be challenging, and you may need assistance to ensure he or she is able to continue living at home independently. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Clearwater, Florida, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. Call (727) 330-7862 today to schedule a free in-home consultation with one of our qualified Care Managers.