July 22, 2019 / Blog / Tracy Bridges
CARING FOR YOUR AGING PARENTS FROM A DISTANCE
4 tips to make the challenge more manageable
(This article previously appeared on the site of PBS NewsHour.)
Concern about Mom or Dad’s health and wellbeing is top of mind for many boomers today. Worrisome signs of your parent’s frailty, progressive memory loss or the decline in health require more and more of your help and attention.
But what if you live a good distance away?
Whether you live an hour away, in a different state or maybe even in another country, caregiving at a distance presents very real challenges.
Help For Your Journey
No longer just a devoted daughter or son, you’re now what the professionals in the aging field call a “long-distance caregiver.” Thrust into what is often a new world of intricate responsibilities, you may find it hard to see the personal rewards ahead. But they are there, as is the help available to assist you on this caregiving journey.
(MORE: The Stress of Long-Distance Caregiving)
There is no one right way to be a caregiver; everyone’s situation is different. You will find that, among a host of things, family dynamics, financial resources and the ability of your parent(s) to provide guidance for the support that they desire will shape your situation.
You can expect your caregiving responsibilities to include, at a minimum, two key functions: information gatherer — from your parent(s), websites, books, word of mouth, etc. — and coordinator of services — contacting potential service providers, scheduling, coordinating payment and monitoring medical care. Do plan on traveling and spending some time on the phone to arrange care and services.
Pulling Together Key Information
It will help you immensely if, before there is a crisis, your parent(s) provide you with information to locate their important records, phone numbers, email addresses and other essential contact information. If a crisis has already occurred, such as a stroke or traumatic brain injury, this information is still important to gather, but it may require more detective work on your part.
(MORE: Caregiving From Afar)
Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) has a free online tool called “Where to Find My Important Papers” that will help you collect information to simplify communication with government agencies such as Social Security or the Veterans Administration; help with banking and other financial transactions and make speaking with your parent’s attorney, accountant and physician easier.
Legal documents, such as Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Durable Power of Attorney for Asset Management, can and should be prepared before a health condition makes it impossible for your parent to do so. For more information, read “Legal Issues in Planning for Incapacity.” One organization to contact to find an attorney knowledgeable about estate planning or with special training in elder law is the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
To keep things in order, long-distance caregivers will benefit from keeping a care notebook — a central place for the important information that you gather. A number of care notebook templates (hard copy or digital) are available for purchase or you can create your own, either a digital version or by using a good old three-ring binder with pocket dividers. Be sure your notebook contains current information on your parent’s prescriptions.
If paid caregivers are employed to provide care to your loved one, you will want them to maintain a separate notebook documenting medication administration, vital signs and other key physical and mental health status information.
(MORE: Caring for Parents With Your Siblings)
If you feel overwhelmed at any point, never hesitate to call in a friend or professional to help. An objective adviser knowledgeable about Medicare and Medicaid can be immensely helpful in sorting out health care eligibility and coverage. A social worker (National Association of Social Workers) or geriatric care manager (National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers) can facilitate a family meeting to help prepare a care plan and/or deal with family dissension.
No one can master everything, not even the people who are experts in their field. The solution lies in putting together a team and using each team member’s strengths — including yours.
4 Tips To Keep In Mind
Here are four key tips to keep in mind as a long-distance caregiver:
1. As much as possible, involve the one who needs care in any decision-making process, especially issues related to care and housing. Be sure to listen to his or her preferences and respect your parent’s known values, even when these differ from yours. Instructions to paid caregivers should be in writing.
2. Learn what kind of help is available. Educate yourself on the care and services in the area. Similar kinds of services are found throughout the U.S. (e.g. adult day care, home care, case management, etc.). Eldercare Locator at 800- 677-1116 can direct you to the Area Agency on Aging appropriate for your parent(s). FCA’s Family Care Navigator offers a state-by-state searchable database to help you locate help in your state.
3. Remember to take care of yourself. Caregiving can be stressful, so create a support network for yourself. Talk with friends and family. Allow yourself to hire help or involve other family members. Trying to do it all alone is not healthy for you or your loved one.
4. Understand that care needs will change over time. It’s not too early to think about possible future needs. Once you locate resources, speak to a social worker who has experience in planning for eldercare. There are many options to be considered, and you’ll want to make informed, well-thought-out decisions about your parent’s care.
The sudden realization of your new role as a caregiver is likely to be stressful. How can you be a caring daughter or son and the coordinator of a multitude of tasks required when taking on the day-to-day responsibilities of a loved one? You may feel overwhelmed and isolated.
In reality, you have lots of company. Approximately 76 million of family caregivers are boomers, many with parents who are approaching a time in their life that will require aid and assistance. And an estimated 43.5 million Americans provide or manage care for a relative or friend 50+ years or older — that number is growing every day.
The good news is that with so many of us involved in care from a distance, there’s lots of information to help. Here are additional guides offering checklists and specific tips to help you in your long-distance caregiving journey:
Family Caregiver Alliance’s National Center on Caregiving: Handbook for Long-Distance Caregivers: An Essential Guide for Families and Friends Caring for Ill or Elderly Loved Ones
The National Institute on Aging: So Far Away: Twenty Questions and Answers About Long-Distance Caregiving
AARP: Tips for Long Distance Caregivers
Long-Term Care Options Explored on PBS NewsHour
These are long-term care options featured on PBS NewsHour:
- Why More Seniors Are Going Back to College — to Retire
- Coping with Alzheimer’s: A Mother and Daughter Portrait of Long-Term Care
- Taking Cues From ‘Golden Girls,’ More Single Baby Boomers are Building a Future Together
- There’s No Place Like Home: Seniors Hold On to Urban Independence Into Old Age
- Foster Families Find and Share Support with Elders at Oregon Housing Community
- Increasing Demand Moves Long-Term Care Centers to Cater to Latino Elders
More Family Caregiver Alliance Posts
And here are two more Family Caregiver Alliance Posts in this series:
- How to Pick a Long-Term-Care Facility When Your Loved One Can’t Live Alone
- What Is the Best Strategy for Taking Care of Your Aging Parents at Home?
7 More Family Caregiver Alliance Publications
These seven FCA publications could be useful, too:
- Caregiving With Your Siblings
- Community Care Options
- Downsizing Your Home: A Checklist
- Hiring In-Home Help
- Holding a Family Meeting
- Legal Planning for Incapacity
- Home Away From Home
