How to give long distance senior care to those you love

• Posted on 1 February 2023
• By Jessica Brody
• Posted in Senior Care
• 0

Provide senior loved ones all the care they need, even from far away. You want to be near enough to tend to their every need; long distances can make this seem like a mammoth effort, practically. However, it can be done. With the proper communication and resources, you can help to ensure this phase isn't a taxing one.

Photo via Pexels

Caring for a senior loved one that lives far away is not an ideal situation. After all, you want to be near enough to tend to their every need. Long distances can make this seem like a mammoth effort, practically. However, it can be done. With the proper communication and resources, you can help to ensure this phase isn't a taxing one.

Consult with neighbors and friends that are nearby

If you can't be there in person as often as you'd like, neighbors, friends, and other family members that live close to your senior loved one may be your next best option, as they can be your eyes and ears for you from afar.

Make sure they are living safely

If you can pay a trip down to them to see if their living conditions are safe for their well-being, this can put your mind at ease, at least for a little bit, knowing that your loved one is in a safe environment.

Assist them in staying in contact with you

Giving your senior loved one access to technology can help them reach out to you in times of need. Giving them a cell phone (if they don't already have one) and teaching them how to use apps and software such as Zoom and WhatsApp video calls can also help them feel empowered, knowing that they can feel their way around technology unassisted.

Make sure you have access to important documents

If you have been given power of attorney over your loved one's legal affairs, ensure you have all this important information organized and stored away for when you need it. Also, it may be helpful to know what the schedule of your loved one is, what their health status is, and what medication or medical care they require so that you can assist from afar should an emergency crop up.

Focus on improving your own knowledge

Focusing on improving your knowledge of assistive care can give you the confidence to make better decisions regarding the health and welfare of your senior loved one. So if you're up to taking a short course or doing some practical training, this could stand you in good stead if challenges arise in the future.

Look into assisted living facilities

If it seems that your senior loved one is struggling or is not coping on their own, maybe it is time to approach the subject of moving to an assisted living facility so that they are not burdened by doing day-to-day activities that may be wearing them out. Before checking into an assisted living facility, it might be well worth your effort to do some research beforehand to get a better idea of what's on offer here. Get an idea of what their pricing structure is, what their payment options are, and what the facilities are like by having a look through their facility report.

While caring for a loved one from afar isn't the best situation, you can still look after them in more ways than one (even if it's not being physically present) by ensuring they are as comfortable and content as can be where they are.

If you shop online, or have a senior living in Houston, Texas, visit Safeway Medical Supply for a wide variety of top-quality products to suit a senior’s every need, from wheelchairs, safety equipment, home medical devices, etc., to ensure their safety and well-being at all times.