We live in a highly mobile world where family members may not necessarily reside in the same town or even state.
Long-distance caregivers account for around 466,000 Australians, with the majority caring for elderly parents who live more than an hour away.
It’s only natural for adult children of older Australians to be concerned about their ageing parent’s well-being, especially if they will be away over the holiday season. “Determining long-distance caregiving solutions will make the responsibilities of caring for elderly parents or loved ones more doable.”
Tips for long-distance caring from Authentic Life Care are listed below:
● Make Support Contacts in the Community for Your Aging Parents
Make a list of phone numbers and addresses for relatives, friends, and neighbours. Inquire whether you can call them to see how your loved one is doing. They may also be willing to pay regular visits to your loved one’s house.
● Maintain Contact With Your Parents
Keep in touch with your loved one via phone, letters, and e-mail on a regular basis. Keep track of any changes in his or her personality or capacity to function on a daily basis.
● Make Notes During Your Visits
When you have the opportunity to visit your parents, keep an eye out for any changes in their grooming, eating habits, or social activities. Pay attention to how he or she handles money, cleans, shops, and gets around.
● Keep Important Information in Mind
Find out where your parents store critical documents such as insurance policies, bank account details, investments, a living will, and a power of attorney (for legal, financial, and health care purposes). It’s also helpful to have a list of your relative’s doctors, as well as any hospitals or clinics engaged in his or her medical treatment and any medications he or she is taking.
● Consider Professional Assistance Options
There are various solutions available for ageing parents who require assistance. Companionship, meal preparation, and light housekeeping are just some of the services provided by in-home caring firms like D&HHC Services to assist seniors in living independently with a caregiver’s help.
● Determine the community’s resources
Find out what resources are available for older Australians by contacting local ageing agencies, senior centres, churches, synagogues, or other volunteer organisations.
● Include your parent in the process
Allow as much decision-making power to your parents as possible. Remember that your primary goal is to assist your loved one in meeting his or her requirements, not to take over his or her life. When your loved one is unable to make decisions on his or her own, you may need to make them on his or her behalf.
● Allow yourself to relax.
Long-distance caregiving can take a toll on carers’ mental and physical well-being. Make sure you’re eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising on a regular basis, and staying on top of your medical needs.
Remember that the holiday season is about spending time with family, being together, and creating memories. Your family will have the much-needed sense of security, comfort, and ideally the capacity to build new memories with your ageing loved ones for many years to come if you take the time to solve these long-distance caring difficulties.
Authentic Life Care provides elders and disabled persons who desire to remain independent with in-home supportive care and personal care help. All direct care provider staff at Authentic Life Care is directly employed and insured, and all carers are carefully pre-screened before entering a client’s house. Registered Nurse care managers oversee and monitor all ongoing care. A few offices also provide expert nursing home care. Visit the Authentic Life Care website at https://authenticlifecare.com.au/ for more information.
