Ways to Keep in Touch When Caregiving Long Distance
Skip main navigation
Serving Greater Oklahoma City and surrounding areas
Type Size
Serving Greater Oklahoma City and surrounding areas
Past main navigation Contact Us

Ways to Keep in Touch When Caregiving Long Distance

It can be very hard to deal with your parents and family members aging. This is especially true when you don't live very close to them. Whether you are a few hours (or a few states) away, it can be difficult to stay in touch with them. Besides doing your best to be in regular contact, you also need to stay alert to how they are doing. This can be particularly difficult to do over the phone. They may need more or less help at home. They may need a personal caregiver, or even moved into a facility or community.

That being said, there are many ways that you can stay in touch with your loved ones, no matter how far away you are.

Phone calls

Phone calls are essential to make sure that your loved ones are doing well. It is important that you listen for clues that they are struggling. Do they sound tired? Are they having new difficulties sleeping, or are they trying to do too much? Are they having trouble communicating? Do they always know who you are?

Video chats

Video chats are even better than phone calls. You can see your loved ones to help assess the situation. Are your loved ones well groomed? Does it look like they showered and brushed their hair recently? Are their clothes on properly? Do they fit? If you suddenly see that their clothes are getting too loose, you may want to see why they are losing weight. Are they eating properly? Has something in their health changed that led to weight loss, or are they simply not eating because they don't want to cook anything?

Visits

That being said, the best way to gauge how things are going is by visiting. Nothing beats seeing your loved ones in person, as well as their environment. Are they able to keep up with the housework, or would it be beneficial to get someone to come in and clean for them? Same with the outside. Should you hire someone to mow their lawn?
Are they safe at home? Do they need home modifications such as bathroom remodels, adapting a kitchen, bedroom or living spaces? Is it time for a fall alert?
Look in their fridge and cupboards while you are there to see what they are eating (or not eating). You can check to see if their food has expired. Eat a meal with them to evaluate any changes in appetite or food preferences.

Keep communication open with other family members

In a perfect world, it should be the responsibility of multiple family members including siblings and close relatives to check on loved ones, no matter how far away they might live. When you visit (or even just call), check in with other family members to see if they are seeing the same thing. Ask them to do the same. You don't want something to slip through any cracks because someone saw some changes or areas of concern but didn't think it was worth mentioning. And if others saw it also, it's probably something that needs addressing sooner rather than later.

Though it can be hard to stay connected and take care of your loved ones when you live far away, it can be done. In fact, it is easier now than ever. You can call and check in regularly, as well as do video chats. However, visits are just as important! You can see the whole picture when you look at their home and surroundings. Try to engage your close family and other relatives and consult any siblings. Together, you can make sure that your loved ones are doing as well as possible.

It's not uncommon that our loved ones' changing health means changes to their ability to remain as safe, independent, and healthy as possible at home. If you or your family aren't in a position to help due to distance, Senior Helpers' trained caregivers can provide additional senior care to help your loved ones and to provide you with peace of mind. Please contact us to learn more about our senior home care services and options.