Tips for Taking Care of Your Elderly Parents Long-Distance
One of the things we don’t love about getting older is that our parents get older along with us. When our parents reach a certain age, the tables change and it becomes time to start thinking about how we can take care of them. While caregiving presents various difficulties on its own, taking care of elderly parents long-distance offers its own set of challenges. Here are a few strategies to make it easier on everyone involved.
Organize an Emergency Plan
When our loved ones live a long distance away, it isn’t easy to know what they’re going through or reach them on short notice. Therefore, create an emergency plan to address specific issues when they arise.
Try to set up a support system around their location to ensure your parents have a reliable group of people they can trust to help them when you’re not around. Additionally, keep a travel bag of toiletries/clothes accessible to take with you if you need to visit them suddenly.
Stay in Communication
Be sure you have a way to communicate with your elderly parents, like a backup phone or online services like What’s App, Facebook Messenger, etc., so they can contact you when they need to.
Schedule calls with their medical physicians or senior living home to maintain awareness of their health, ask your support system to check in on them, and more to keep in touch with them.
Plan Regular Visits
In addition to communication, try to plan regular visits with them at least a few times a year. This will help your parents stay connected to the family and reduce the potential loneliness they may feel in a senior living home. This also allows you to determine their physical and mental health and ensure they’re happy and healthy.
Explore Various Living Arrangements
Do your parents live independently, in a senior living home, or with a family member? Is that the best living arrangement for their mental and physical well-being? It’s always best to explore various options when it comes to taking care of your elderly parents. Consider doing research into the difference between home care and hospice care when it comes to what your parents will receive in terms of care. Looking into things thoroughly before making a decision will ensure that the arrangement suits them best and gives all parties peace of mind that they're going to be comfortable, healthy and happy.
These tips for taking care of your elderly parents long-distance will help you on your journey of caring for your loved ones without uprooting your family. Building a safety net of support for your elderly parents will ensure they’re happy, healthy, and safe.
