How to Effectively Care For Your Senior When You’re Far Away

It’s challenging to be far away from an aging parent, but this distance doesn’t mean that their level of care needs to suffer as a result. In fact, many families help to provide highly effective care for the people they love, even when they are in other parts of the country. If you’re dealing with a long-distance care giving situation, keep these tips in mind:

Rely on siblings, family members, or friends

It’s common for family members who are far away to feel guilt about the distance. However, understand that this guilt is not productive. Instead, use your resources. Can you ask other family members in the area to check in on your senior? Can you use your siblings for assistance? There is no shame in asking for help. Your elderly loved one’s well-being should remain the top priority.

Plan some time

If you’re worried about assessing your senior’s living situation for yourself, then block off a solid chunk of time to do so. You’ll need at least a few days to truly understand how they live and where they could use some help. When you go to spend some time with them, consider the following points:

• Is their home free of clutter that could cause them to trip? Are rugs secured and are all cords tucked away?
• Is their home well lit? 
• Do they have additional support in the bathroom, such as grip bars or other tools to help with balance?
• Is their pantry well stocked? Has the food in the refrigerator gone bad? Do they have small snacks available in between meals? 
• Is their medication well organized? Are they taking it according to schedule?

According to professionals who work in home care, Iowa families can assess these important elements of everyday life in order to understand how their senior is doing and what kind of help they may need. Even if you are not able to stay to provide this care long term, you can put an eldercare services professional in place who is able to handle this important task. 

Just because you’re not physically close to your senior, doesn’t mean that their level of care has to suffer. By working with an in-home care provider, Iowa families can help their loved ones to enjoy a safe and happy life in their home.