How to Provide Long-Distance Care to Your Aging Loved One
By Home Care Assistance Des Moines 9 am on
Although you may wish you lived closer to your senior loved one, it might not be possible due to work or other factors. However, you can still provide high-quality care by using the following tips for long-distance caregivers.
Set Up Plans for Daily or Weekly Chats
When you can’t see your loved one every day, you should still make an effort to reach out to him or her regularly. Talking to your loved one on the phone allows you to instantly hear how he or she is doing, and you can pick up clues about his or her health from the tone of voice and the words used. For instance, you should be concerned if your loved one’s voice sounds weak or he or she cannot remember what you talked about the day before. In addition to paying attention to how your loved one sounds, you can also ask questions about his or her daily routine to see if anything needs to change. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care. Des Moines Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Create a Caregiver File
If your loved one needs assistance, having certain types of information at hand helps you get things done faster. Set up a paper or digital caregiver file you can use to keep all of your loved one’s information organized. For instance, you should have a list of all of the medications he or she takes along with their dosing schedules. You may also need your loved one’s health insurance information and the contact info for his or her doctor and preferred pharmacy. Long-distance caregivers who may be called upon to help with their loved one’s financial accounts need the appropriate information to accomplish these tasks.
Use Technology to Meet Common Challenges
As a long-distance caregiver, you can explore the different types of technology that have been developed to enhance senior care. For instance, you can make your regular chats even more effective by using video calls that allow you to see the condition of your loved one’s house and physical appearance. You can also use smartphone apps to track your loved one’s appointments and find out if he or she has done tasks such as lock the doors. If your loved one has memory challenges, you can also use video surveillance to see if he or she has turned off the stove or left the building. Consider hiring a professional caregiver if you need someone to monitor your loved one’s health when you’re not around. Families shouldn’t have to worry about finding reliable elderly care. Des Moines Home Care Assistance is a leading provider of elderly home care. We offer a proprietary program called the Balanced Care Method, which uses holistic methods to promote senior health, our caregivers and Care Managers are available 24/7, and all of our in-home care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Work with a Local Caregiver
While checking in with your loved one and using technology can be helpful, there may be times when he or she needs assistance you can’t provide from a long distance. For instance, your loved one may need help bathing or getting in and out of bed after a surgery. Alternatively, your loved one may get lonely during the day, and there’s no topping the power of in-person human contact for lifting someone’s mood. Develop a relationship with a local caregiver who can deliver services to your loved one that still require a human touch. Your loved one will enjoy the socialization, and you’ll feel relieved knowing you’re not the only one your loved one depends on for care.For families living in Des Moines, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home. To learn more about our premier in-home care plans, give us a call at (515) 264-2438 today.
