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Organization and Information Are
the Keys to Long-Distance Adult Caregiving
WESTPORT, CT, April 30, 2007 – Two
of the most important aspects of long-distance caregiving
are getting organized and staying informed about a loved
one's condition. Here are some tips that will help make
these challenges much easier:
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Keep an ongoing log
of your loved one's needs and document important
information—names, addresses, telephone numbers,
etc. Consider organizing it into the following sections:
Doctors; Caregivers; Hospitals; Medications; Financial
& Legal; Community Resources; Miscellaneous
Information.
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Establish an informal
network of neighbors,
friends and family members who are willing to check
on your loved one periodically. Select trustworthy
people, and encourage them to call you if they are
concerned that your loved one's health or safety
is in any way compromised. Give them your contact
information and keep a list of their names, addresses
and telephone numbers handy.
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Stay in close contact
with your loved one yourself via phone or e-mail.
Agree to contact one another each day at a specified
time. If you don't hear from your loved one and
can't get in touch with her/him yourself, alert
a neighbor or the police department so they can
check on your loved one for you.
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Ask your loved one pointed
questions about her/his
health, needs, worries, etc. Make sure your loved
one doesn't hide the truth to prevent you from worrying
or embellish stories to get you to come visit. (This
is where an informal network of friends and neighbors
can really help.)
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Consider traveling occasionally
to assess your loved one's physical and mental health.
If you want to investigate care options while you're
visiting (home health care agencies, housing options,
etc.), set up appointments well in advance. It may
also be wise to make dental and doctor appointments
for your loved one so you can attend with her/him
personally.
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Think about hiring a
Professional Geriatric Care Manager
(PGCM) if you notice signs that your loved one is
beginning to need help with daily tasks or has had
a significant change in health. A PGCM can assess
an individual's situation, prepare a personalized
care plan, and provide supervision and monitoring
services as necessary. |
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LifeCare's Successful
Aging & Caregiving series was created for
reporters who write about aging, adult caregiving and
other challenges of mid-life. Reporters may reprint
the information presented here in whole or in part,
with attribution to LifeCare, Inc.
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please contact Michael Civiello, manager—marketing and media relations,
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Inc.
For 22 years, LifeCare has provided people with specialty
care services and customized care plans for all aspects
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Media contact: Michael Civiello
LifeCare, Inc.
pr1@lifecare.com
203-291-4170
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