6 Tips for Being a Long-Distance Caregiver

Caring for a loved one is a big task, and it can be even harder if they live a significant distance away from you. Keeping these tips in mind will hopefully make the job a little easier and allow you to spend some more quality time together.

1. Designate a primary Contact
Make sure at least one family member has written permission to receive medical and financial information. Ideally, one family member should handle conversations with all health care providers. Collect all vital information in one place such as a notebook or a secure online document. This should include all the important information about medical care, contact numbers, financial affairs, utility services, etc.

2. Plan your visits
Talk to your family member ahead of time to find out what they would like to do. Also, check with the primary caregiver, to  find out if there is anything they need to have done while you are in town. Decide on the priorities and leave other tasks for another visit.

3. Try to Plan a Non-Caregiving Activity
When visiting try to make time to do something unrelated to being a caregiver. Watch a movie, visit with old friends, go to a church service, play a board game, or go for a drive. Do your best to let outside distractions wait until you are home again.

4. Organize paperwork
An important part of effective caregiving depends on keeping a great deal of information in order and up to date. long-distance caregivers will usually need access to the persons legal, medical, and financial information. Getting all this material together is a lot of work but once you have everything together, many caregiving tasks will be easier. Maintaining current information about the persons health and medical care, as well as finances, home ownership, and other legal issues, lets you get a handle on what is going on and allows you to respond more quickly if there is a crisis. The person you are caring for may be reluctant to share their personal information. Explain that you are not trying to invade their privacy or take over their personal lives, you are only trying to assemble what will be needed in the event of an emergency. Assure them that you will respect their privacy, and then keep your promise. If they are still uncomfortable, ask if they would be willing to work with an attorney, geriatric care manager or certified senior advisor.
 
5. Ask for Help
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. No one can be available 100% of the time. Make sure you have other friends or relatives that can step in of you are not available. You may even consider hiring an in-home care giver for just a few hours a week to help with some tasks around the house.
 
6. Utilize Technology
Consider using technology such as an Alexa to handle reminders, a ring doorbell to check the front door, a Roomba to vacuum the house, or a medication dispenser to help keep your loved one compliant with their medication routine. There are many helpful home automation tools available to turn lights on and off with the sound of your voice, smart thermostats to control the temperature and cameras for security and peace of mind.