Distance is always one of the most challenging obstacles in any relationship. Familial relationships are no exception to this rule. As children mature and parents welcome their golden years, the family bond might become estranged.
Your parents live in The Woodlands, but you spend most of your time in Houston for work. Although a 30-minute drive may not seem like much, with your already busy schedule, the one-hour round trip can be very taxing and limit your ability to visit often and help care for your aging parents. If you live further away, the problem is even greater. Is there any solution for these situations? Today’s article will provide you with six genius tips for successful long-distance caregiving.
Stay In Touch
As our parents’ age, staying connected with them positively reinforces familial relationships and supports their mental health. Many studies have shown that social isolation and loneliness can contribute to health risks among seniors.
Simple modifications in communication can help form a strong emotional link between seniors and family caregivers. These days, technology has made communication easier with professional tools and services, including:
- Email or text messages: Even if you are overworked, texting or emailing will not take up much of your time. There are various methods to demonstrate your affection for your loved ones, like sending family photos, telling parents your daily stories, and sharing their favorite music or movies.
- Phone calls: Written words, sometimes, can be easily misunderstood. In that scenario, the inflection in the voice through phone calls can support comprehension of the genuine message.
- Facetime: Facetime allows you to produce more meaningful conversations with your seniors by listening to their voices and monitoring their body language.
Sharing Responsibilities with Other Family Members
A productive family meeting is essential for efficient long-distance caregiving. A calm conversation about the type of care required can help clear up a lot of uncertainty. A wise strategy should be designed based on your parents’ wishes and needs. If a crisis arises, the caregivers can intervene in time.
However, sharing responsibility does not imply that members must force themselves to do it, which can be a strain for both caregivers and seniors. Instead, consider how you can adjust your schedules and what you will be willing to do for your beloved family members.
Organize Any Essential Paperwork
If you’ve ever tried to collect and manage your personal, medical, financial, and legal documents, you know how time-consuming it can be. Thus, helping your parents keep a lot of information organized and up to date is a key to successful long-distance caregiving.
Maintaining information regarding your parents’ personal data allows you to stay on top of things and respond more swiftly in the event of a crisis. It’s also a good idea to double-check that all financial things are in order, including wills and life insurance contracts.
But, it’s important to explain that you are not attempting to invade your seniors’ privacy or take control of their personal life. Assure them that their privacy will be respected, and don’t forget to fulfill your word.
Arrange In-Home Care
In-home care services can provide older adults with daily personal care while protecting their dignity and maintaining a good quality of life. Home health care is a good option since it is a safe and economical alternative that allows your loved ones to remain comfortable in their own homes.
Well-trained professionals can analyze safety concerns in the house and make essential modifications. Furthermore, in-home care can ensure an effective personal plan, including a nutritious diet, medication management, and physical and mental activities.
Plan Your Regular Visits
Gatherings help your parents socialize and thus break the isolation they have been experiencing. Since social isolation has been linked to health decline, regular visits will positively impact your senior family members’ moods and contribute to their happiness. Moreover, seniors can feel more fulfilled by maintaining relationships with the younger generation.
In actuality, making a face-to-face meeting is far superior to making a phone call. Arrange regular visits as often as you’re able, remind your parents about family memories, show them family albums, listen to their stories, prepare gifts, and watch how delighted they are to meet their beloved children in person.
The 12 Oaks Approach
Undoubtedly, long-distance caregiving plays an essential role in the lives of our beloved family members. Regardless of where the caregiver resides, caregiving is generally a long-term commitment that requires much care, love, and responsibility.
Our 12 Oaks Senior Living Communities offer professional caregivers who can create a safe environment with supportive care based on individual needs. Our staff members are well-trained to comprehend treatment options, appreciate your senior family members’ values, and support their decisions. We design different personalized care plans depending on your parents’ condition and preferences, including balanced diets, daily healthcare, and mental and physical activities.
Our community provides effective services where your parents’ needs are always first.
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Searching for senior living help? At 12 Oaks Senior Living, we would love to learn more about your unique needs and the opportunity we may have to help you meet them. Our blog is one of the valuable resources we provide to inform and encourage seniors to lead fulfilling and thriving lives.
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