Many adult children face the challenge of caring for aging loved ones who live far away. This type of long-distance care can be overwhelming from a logistical as well as an emotional standpoint. To keep from constantly worrying, our homecare agency suggests setting up a long-distance caregiver support system.
Meet with your loved one’s primary physician
Go with your senior to their appointment and explain to the physician that you live out of town. Ask if they would be willing to communicate with you –through a phone call or e-mail—any results or directions relating to your senior’s care. Make copies of your senior’s medications, physician contact information and medical records to bring home and keep handy.
Introduce yourself to your senior’s neighbors and friends
Make sure these individuals have your contact information in case they need to reach you in the event of an emergency. It’s a good idea to get their information as well, since they know your senior’s daily routine and can alert you if something seems amiss.
Choose a first responder
Because you live out-of-town, it’s important to designate a friend or family member who lives close by to your aging loved one, as someone who can take action in a medical crisis until you arrive.
Hire a home care agency
Caregivers often experience burnout when they neglect to use their resources and ask for help. If you have siblings, ask them to share the expense of hiring a private duty home health service to assist your senior.
Long-distance care can be challenging but having a plan in place for a strong local support system, can make things safer and more manageable for you and your aging loved one.
Looking for a place to start? Call (602) 504-1555 Nightingale, a Phoenix home health care agency or contact us online . Whether you need a private duty services, Medicare home health service, or assistance with dementia care in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley or Phoenix, our homecare agency can help.
