subject: Long Distance Care Giving - How To Take Care Of Senior Citizens From Miles Away [print this page] When you put hundreds or thousands of miles between you and a senior parent or other senior citizen, it can be emotionally and financially draining. Even when events are going as planned, there is always that gnawing doubt in the back of your head about their safety and well being.
Long distance care giving doesn't always need to be that complicated. It might be tough in the beginning to manage, but eventually, if you set up the right system, it can actually be routine.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Long Distance Care Giving
Target Their Needs - It is essential that you find out what the senior wants and needs. After all, if they are unhappy with the arrangements, you will defeat the purpose. You will have to take into consideration their health. If they have any special health needs that must be addressed, you will need to know that they are in a facility that can adequately handle this.
Keep a List of What They Want - Before you make visits, keep track of items that they need. If you write them all down as the conversations come up when you are talking to them on the phone or exchanging e-mail with them, it will be much easier to remember once it is time to visit them.
Make the Best of Your Visits - Each time you visit your senior loved one, get the best out of the visit. Do your best to make sure your loved one is comfortable, that they have been eating correctly, and check for any signs of health problems that might not have been addressed. Ask if there are any aches and pains that they have been having, and haven't told the medical staff about.
Check Their Grooming - Grooming is very important in long distance care giving. Staying clean and looking nice is good for any person's morale. If you know your family member has always been well groomed, and all of a sudden, they are not keeping up their normal appearance, it might be a sign that something is wrong mentally, physically, or that the facility staff aren't doing their jobs correctly.
Inquire about Mental or Physical Abuse - There are many outstanding assisted living facilities throughout the United States. However, there are a few bad people out there who want to take advantage of the elderly. Try to get a good visual check to make sure your loved one doesn't have any marks or bruises on their body. If they do, it's up to you to find out why the marks are there.
Get to the point, and ask them if the staff has been treating them well, or if there are any staff members, who haven't been kind to them. If they mention any bad situations, get the staff member's name, and bring the situation up to the management before you leave. If the situation hasn't been taken care of immediately, talk to the owner of the facility, and if any abuse has occurred, you could also file a complaint with the police.
Some seniors are too ashamed to bring up mental or physical or sexual abuse. However, it is your responsibility to do your best to make sure these issues are taken care of properly.
Use a Webcam - It's nice to hear your loved one over the telephone, but it is much nicer for you to see each other face-to-face. If possible, get them a computer with a webcam, so you can contact them over Skype or other online video chat platforms. Instruct them how to use it, and if they are having difficulties, ask or instruct the staff to help them set up a conversation with you each time.
Long distance care giving means that you are many miles away, but seeing each others faces can help ease the anxiety for both of you.
Long Distance Care Giving - Conclusion
If you follow some of the outlined tips, you will find that long distance care giving can be managed properly. Talk it over with your loved one and other family members to find out the best solution.
