According to a 2015 report from the National Alliance for Caregiving, over 30 million Americans serve as informal caregivers for aging relatives. But with families today spread out all-across the country, many caregivers must travel long distances to perform their duties. The coronavirus, or “COVID-19”, pandemic has created additional challenges for long distance caregivers, like travel bans and shelter in place restrictions. If you’re currently serving as a long distance caregiver, here are some ways to ensure that your loved one gets the care they deserve.

Fast Facts About Long Distance Caregivers

A long distance caregiver is defined as someone who travels more than an hour each way to provide care to another. Here are some other fast facts about long distance caregivers:

  • Roughly 15% of all family caregivers qualify as long distance caregivers.
  • They spend on average nearly $12,000 per year in out-of-pocket caregiving expenses.
  • They are more likely to experience emotional distress when compared to caregivers who live with the care recipient or caregivers who live less than an hour away.

The coronavirus pandemic has made long distance caregiving even more challenging and stressful, which increases the likelihood for caregiver burnout. If it happens to you, the quality of care that you’re providing will quickly go downhill.

Use This Long Distance Care Strategy

To make sure that doesn’t happen, you’ll need to devise an effective long distance caregiving strategy. First, make a list of the activities of daily living (ADLs) that your senior needs assistance with. Once that’s done, speak to your loved one and reassure them that everything is going to be OK.

Based off what you’ve learned, finalize your caregiving plan by taking these steps:

Focus On What You Can Do

Instead of letting COVID-19 travel bans and other obstacles get in your way, focus on what you can do. Here are some ideas:

  • Schedule a meal delivery service.
  • Work with an online pharmacy like PillPack to ensure medication refills and deliveries.
  • With their permission, set your senior up with online banking and bill paying.
  • Hire a housekeeper to clean a few days per week.
  • Ask your loved one to sign a HIPAA release form so that you can access their health records, speak with their doctors and manage their medical bills.

Create an Emergency Plan

Since you both might be feeling a little anxious, alleviate concerns by devising a good emergency plan. Compile a list of contact names and numbers for family members, neighbors and doctors. Get copies of all their important legal and medical documents, including a will, advanced medical directives, updated medication and vaccination list and insurance policies.

Communicate Often

Just because you aren’t there in person doesn’t mean you can’t communicate with your loved one. Call them daily whenever possible, or maybe use an online video chat platform like FaceTime or Skype. Seeing each other face-to-face will reduce anxiety levels and boost spirits.

Recruit Outsiders

Use a source like Angie’s List to locate reputable contractors who can maintain the inside and outside of your loved one’s home. Ask one of their neighbors to take care of the yard and landscaping. If managing their healthcare from a distance is too hard, hire a geriatric case manager to coordinate providers, monitor appointments and keep you informed.

Take Care of Yourself

As was mentioned earlier, long distance caregivers are at high risk for emotional distress. Don’t let that happen to you by exercising regularly, eating a nutritious diet, getting plenty of sleep and spending quality time with your spouse and kids. And when you need a break, you can always ask your siblings to pitch in or hire a professional respite caregiver.

Reliable In-Home Respite Care for Alabama Seniors

Caring for an elderly loved one from afar can be stressful and overwhelming. When you need a hand, contact Seniors Prefer Homecare. As a “cream of the crop” home care agency in Alabama, we are fully licensed and insured for your family’s protection. All our respite caregivers are carefully screened and well-trained before assisting clients. We have full-time RNs and social workers on staff to answer your questions.

Our agency is strongly committed to serving as an extended family in your senior’s home so they can continue aging in place with dignity, independence and self-confidence. To learn more about Seniors Prefer Homecare now, or to schedule a FREE consultation with a case manager for a senior in Tuscaloosa or Huntsville, AL, today, please visit us at: www.seniorspreferhomecare.com!