Navigating the Distance: Practical Tips for Long-Distance Caregivers

Do you feel the strain of the distance stretching between you and your ageing loved one?   Caring for an aging loved one from afar presents a unique set of challenges. Feelings of helplessness, worry about missed emergencies, and the guilt of not being physically present can be overwhelming. However, there are many practical steps you can take to ensure your loved one receives the care they need while managing your own well-being.

Building Your Support Network:

• Local Support System: Establishing a network of trusted individuals near your loved one is crucial. This could include neighbours, friends, relatives, or even professional caregivers who can provide regular check-ins, help with errands, or address urgent needs.
• Sharing Responsibilities: Delegate tasks and share the caregiving burden with siblings, adult children, older teens or other family members. Discussing everyone’s strengths and limitations can help create a fair and sustainable plan.
• Plan regular short visits:  Visiting regularly for short periods will help both you and your loved one to feel connected and ensure any problems are noticed early.  Consider sharing visits around with other family members – even older teens can have a weekend with Nan.  Look for cheap flights and by sharing the visits, each person might only need to travel every few of months but your loved one gets a visit from someone every few weeks.
• Technology as a Bridge: Stay connected and monitor your loved one’s well-being through technology. Utilise video calls to have face-to-face interactions – even having a video call during your family dinner. Consider a wearable personal alarm and have them connected to you through location tracking or find my phone for added peace of mind. Remind grand children to send a photo or short message occasionally.

Planning and Organization:

• Support Calendar: Creating a shared calendar outlining appointments, medication schedules, grocery deliveries, and other essential tasks ensures everyone involved is on the same page.
• Checklist – have a checklist of things to check and do during visits.  Linen is often a struggle for older people, seasonal clothing storage so they only have what they need out makes things easier, cleaning the bathroom, noting home maintenance, monitoring the food in the fridge to ensure they are eating, go out somewhere – a park, a movie, a coffee.  Enjoy the time and make memories.
• Contact Numbers ensure contact numbers are visible on the fridge.  The list should have key services like any aged care supports, doctor, pharmacy as well as relevant family members and any local contacts.  Ensure it’s easy to see for anyone who comes in so they can get in touch if they notice any issues.  Often older loved ones won’t want to bother you and will be reluctant to pass on contact numbers but if they are easily visible, anyone who visits can keep you informed.
• Use online shopping: online grocery or meal delivery services can take a big load off managing shopping trips, transport, bags and healthy meal choices.  These are things you can do from anywhere, but be sure to do these with your loved ones.  It is important for them to retain choice and control and independence – even if they can’t do everything.

Seeking Additional Support:

• Professional Care Services: Consider securing formal home care support for tasks like meal preparation, cleaning or garden care. Don’t leave it until a crisis.  If they can’t do these tasks without assistance in some way – now is the time!
• Social Connection:   Look for day centre activities that offer social interaction and activities for your loved one. Many programs include transport to and from activities and events.  These are available within home care programs and privately and can keep your loved one connected and provide another point of monitoring for your peace of mind
• Support Groups: Connecting with other long-distance caregivers through online communities or local support groups can provide invaluable emotional support and a sense of shared experience.

Remember, you are not alone. Long-distance caregiving can be demanding, but with careful planning, a strong support network, and utilising available resources, you can effectively care for your loved one from afar. Seeking expert guidance can make a significant difference. Insider Information offers personalised support to help you plan and manage your caregiving responsibilities more efficiently and, you can have multiple family members on a call. Reach out to one of our experts to ensure your loved one receives the care they deserve while you and your family have peace of mind.