How to Care for Senior Loved Ones Long Distance

Offering real support and care to seniors is a challenge for many families. For those living far away from senior loved ones, the challenge is even greater.

As families spread out around the country and globe, seniors often rely on the support of loved ones who live far away. Long-distance caregiving has unique challenges, but it can be done safely and effectively. In the US, approximately 5-7 million adults are responsible for caring for a senior family member who lives more than 26 miles away. For seniors and their caregivers, long-distance support is possible through smart strategies.

Common Challenges of Long-Distance

Caregiving

Caregiving for senior loved ones is typically challenging. Coordinating services, ensuring a senior’s safety, offering companionship, and dealing with emotions are all common difficulties for families. Distance adds more complications.

As a result, common challenges of long-distance caregiving include:

• Finding, hiring, and managing professional caregivers

• Filling in caregivers during times of absence

• Tracking seniors’ progress, needs, and well-being

• Offering companionship to combat loneliness

• Arranging for services like transportation

• Gaining assurance of senior safety in their own homes

• Feeling disconnected or out of the loop in the caregiving process

• Paying for quality care plus travel expenses

Strategies for Successful Long-Distance

Caregiving

Long-distance caregiving has become increasingly common due to the changing lifestyles of both seniors and families. Many caregiving agencies are now equipped to include long-distance loved ones in caregiving. Advances in technology also make it possible for far-away family members to be involved in caregiving.

Smart strategies for long-distance caregiving include:

• Selecting a caregiver agency that uses technology to offer realtime interaction and transparency

between in-person caregivers and family members

• Using video calling technology to stay connected with seniors on a regular basis

• Hiring companions, transportation, and other services designed specifically for seniors

• Opting for the support of a professional senior care agency

• Setting up automatic bill pay and other regular needs so seniors don’t have to track them

• Making sure access to medical records has been granted to those living far away