If your aging parent or loved one lives far away from you, it can be challenging to participate in the hands-on caregiving they may need. For example, you might not be able to drop by after work to see how they are feeling or swing by with a few prepared meals for the week on a Sunday afternoon. However, you can still be involved with caregiving tasks and stay in the loop about your loved one’s health from miles away, especially with apps and other technology available to family caregivers.
If you are long-distance caregiving for senior parents or loved ones, here is what you need to know to be helpful and not feel overwhelmed.
Tasks for Long-Distance Caregiving for Elderly Loved Ones
Whether you live across town or the country, you can still offer a helping hand to your aging loved one as they need it. Assisting with any of these tasks can free up time and energy for your loved one, and you can provide that help from a distance:
- Coordinate transportation to/from physician appointments
- Schedule Meals on Wheels deliveries
- Coordinate pharmacy refill deliveries
- Be the point of contact for communication regarding your loved one’s needs
- Check in via video call at least weekly to see and speak to them
- Coordinate housekeeping visits as needed
- Pay bills or take care of financial planning on behalf of your loved one
- Register your loved one for programs and events at the local senior center
- Research senior living or home care options as needed
- Schedule physician appointments, therapy appointments, etc.
How to Help Aging Parents From a Distance
Thanks to technology, you can be even more involved with your loved one no matter how far away you live from one another. Here are a few apps or technology devices that you can use to help aging parents from a distance:
- Medication reminder apps not only remind your loved one when it is time to take their medication but can also inform you if they have missed a dose. You can find a variety of free apps for both iOS and Android, such as Medisafe or Dosecast.
- Make communication easier, especially during times of crisis, by using CaringBridge journals. You can type in how your loved one is doing - or what they need - and that information is sent to everyone you add to your communication list.
- Make meal deliveries from family and friends even easier with apps like MealTrain. It’s free to start a schedule, and you can include any food preferences or concerns. Then, people can sign up for designated times or days, eliminating the risk of three casseroles appearing on one day.
More Tips if You Live Far Away From Elderly Parents
Finally, if you are the designated Power of Attorney or family contact person, ensure you are working with your loved one’s physician to get updates from appointments or follow-up instructions. You can stay in the loop by accessing your loved one’s medical portal, an online charting and communication tool most physicians use. You might have to update your credentials so that you can see notes from your loved one’s appointments, but once you have it set up with the office, you won’t have to do it again.
Remember, even though you live far away from your elderly parents, you can still be involved and helpful.