Tips and Tools for Successful Long-Distance Caregiving

Find long-distance caregiving tips that can help provide peace of mind.

Usually defined by geography, long-distance caregiving describes any person living more than an hour away from a friend or loved one who needs assistance. The pandemic has redefined long-distance caregiving, however, and everyone who cares for a loved one – even if you live in the same town – has needed to learn how to provide effective care remotely.

At American, Advocate and Whitsyms In-Home Care, we understand the challenges families are facing in their caregiving responsibilities during these challenging times. The good news is that there are a variety of ways in which family caregivers can ensure loved ones are safe, healthy and thriving, whether you live across the county or across town. Below are a few suggestions.

Top Tips For Successful Long-Distance Caregiving

  • Identify tasks to complete remotely. From bill paying to prescription refills, there are a variety of tasks that family caregivers can manage remotely. Set up online bill pay, help renew subscriptions, set up mail order prescription delivery, manage insurance, even have groceries delivered. Technology helps family caregivers be more efficient in helping a loved one complete many of the day-to-day “administrative” tasks of maintaining a household.
  • Build a team. Identify specific ways in which other family members and friends who live near or far can lend support. Whether by taking on a specific caregiving task, such as setting up needed healthcare appointments, or committing to a weekly check-in phone call with a loved one, there are a variety of ways in which family caregiving responsibilities can be shared amongst several individuals.
  • Verify legal and medical emergency documents are up to date. Ensure that legal documents and emergency medical documentation is in order. This may include power of attorney for health care, advance directive for medical care, a living will, medical power of attorney for finances, as well as contact information for members of your loved one’s medical team.
  • Stay in touch. Until older adults are widely vaccinated against COVID-19, it’s important to follow CDC guidelines for safely interacting with senior loved ones. Whether you choose in-person, masked and socially distant visits, Facetime or Zoom, phone calls, or a combination of approaches, it’s important to have regular contact with senior loved ones. During these regular visits, take the opportunity to find out other ways you can provide support and assistance from afar.

Another great way to ensure senior loved ones are well cared for in the comfort of home is to partner with the knowledgeable and trusted referred care providers at American, Advocate and Whitsyms In-Home Care. With adherence to the latest safety protocols, our referred care providers offer a variety of in-home care services to help older adults live engaged and active lives, while providing family caregivers with peace of mind. Just a few of the ways we can help include:

  • Friendly companionship and engaging activities, such as playing games, cards, or favorite hobbies
  • Nutritious meal planning and preparation, with adherence to any specific dietary needs
  • Personal care assistance including bathing, dressing and using the bathroom
  • Accompanied transportation to medical appointments, errands, or wherever the senior needs to go
  • Light housekeeping and laundry to keep the home environment clean and tidy
  • Specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care
  • And so much more

Services can be customized to meet the needs of your loved one and are available for a few hours each week, up to and including 24-hour and live-in care.
As the trusted choice for senior in-home care in Florida for over 25 years, our family of brands has offices conveniently located throughout the state. To learn more, reach out to the location nearest you today:

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