Are you caring for a loved one who lives 50+ miles away?
You are a long distance care giver!
A lot of times we don’t even realize we are doing this. No, we don’t put a name to it, we just know that we live in one state and our aging parents live in another. We may check on them daily – and even more as they age and go through different things. You may find yourself coordinating different health related activities over the phone or internet but actually, you are caring from a distance.
As our parents are aging, it’s a real reality check as we evaluate their needs compared to when we were still living with them. Let me encourage you right now – do not wait until something happens to them before you start planning for their needs as they age.
Here are three things you can do right now:
- Gather all of their information about them – no matter how small – you will be surprised what you need to know in the case of an emergency.
- Find and talk to their neighbors to help you check in on them. Many times they will be the first to notice something different with their daily routines.
- Reach out to their local area agency on aging and disability. They will often have information on programs that will assist you, if needed, with their care.
Overall, do not wait! Start looking at ways to be proactive. I know that this will make a difference in your confidence level as you care for your loved one at a distance.