Long-distance Care Giving

If you live hundreds, or even thousands, of miles from your elderly loved one, you may find yourself facing critical decisions about their care. Providing long-distance senior care can be difficult, especially if you feel as though your elderly loved one should relocate to be closer to family members who can take care of them. So what are you to do if your elderly loved one needs assistance but is too far away for you to help?

If you are facing a long-distance care situation, there may be several solutions to the dilemma. While deciding how to best care for your elderly loved one, keep the following in mind:

1. Relocation should be a last resort. This is particularly important if your elderly loved one owns their home. Moving can prove to be not only expensive, but emotionally difficult. While being closer to family may be in your elderly loved one's best interest, they may feel as though they must give up their independence in the process of moving.
2. Explore home care options. Senior care professionals can provide a wide range of services to members of the elderly population. Whether your loved one needs the most basic of care or more thorough medical attention, home care professionals can help. Try calling home care organizations that are local to your elderly loved one. After speaking with them, you may have a better idea of the kind of care your loved one needs—and whether or not you will need help providing it.
3. Spreading yourself too thin will not help your elderly loved one. While you may feel as though it is your responsibility to care for your loved one, you cannot hold yourself accountable for it if you are geographically unable to provide the care they deserve. Understanding your own limitations is key in securing proper care for your elderly loved one.

Long-distance care is an obstacle that many families face. Fortunately, senior care professionals have been trained to provide a high quality of care to elderly individuals. With the help of a qualified senior care professional, your elderly loved one can receive the assistance they need without having to sacrifice their independent lifestyle.