Caregiving from afar

There are an estimated 7 million long-distance caregivers in the United States. Although many miles can add difficulty to caring for an aging parent or loved one, you can still make a big difference.

Emotional support

Schedule regular phone calls and use e-mail to share news, fun, and information. Give the person something to look forward to.

Detective work

Your loved one may sound fine on the phone, but how do you know? Ask questions like, “What’s for dinner?” rather than “Are you eating well?” If your loved one’s answer is “a box of crackers,” he or she may need more day-to-day care, or an extended visit. Simple, conversational questions can give you better insight into the person’s state of well-being.

Project management

If you feel comfortable as a medical advocate, you could handle your loved one’s care, interpret doctors’ orders, or manage a professional caregiver. If you’re knowledgeable with numbers, take on finance and insurance issues. Hold a family meeting and divide responsibilities and finances. Using your skills on a specific set of long-distance
tasks can help both the one needing care and other caregivers.

Source: National Institute on Aging