Caring for Your Parents from Far Away
You never thought this day would come. The parents who raised you now need your help and support. Unfortunately, many families face this dilemma and are totally unprepared. The struggle of caring for your parents is more manageable when they live nearby, however, long distance care is much more complicated. The challenge of being so far away from your folks may often create guilt, frustration, and indecision on your part.
When the time comes, the following questions and concerns can help guide you along the way.
Assessment
Health - Initially, you need to assess your parents overall living arrangements. How is their health? Do they have physical limitations that restrict daily activities such as climbing stairs, using the phone, cooking, cleaning, or other typical household tasks?
Daily needs - Do they still drive? Do they have a certain set schedule in their lives currently? Are they able to get groceries, shop, and attend doctor's appointments or social events without extra assistance?
Support - Do your parents currently have some type of support system in their lives? Do they have neighbors, friends, or nearby relatives they could call in an emergency? Are they involved with a senior citizens club or church group?
The answers to these questions will help you determine the type of care your parents will require.
Resources
Before you talk with your parents and gain their input and information, do some research to see what types of services or resources may be available where they live. After assessing your parents needs you will have a clearer picture of whether they require extra care-a maid or cleaning service, transportation, or possibly additional medical care. It is important to know what services exist in their area, in order to know how to assist them properly. If there are geriatric management agencies or organizations nearby, it would be advisable to contact them about the services and assistance they can provide. Geriatric care managers are specialists that can help you ask the right questions, in addition to helping provide the right answers.
Honest evaluation of your abilities
Be willing to accurately evaluate your ability to care for your parents. Do you have adequate time, wisdom, and knowledge to care for your parents on your own? The last thing you want to do is take on the geriatric care of your parents without the time, resources, or ability to do the job. It will become an overwhelming frustration to you, and a possible danger to your parents. Don't let guilt be your motivating factor. Providing long distance care for your parents is extremely difficult. It requires a great deal of time, medical knowledge, expertise in senior care and social security benefits and limitations. In reality, the best thing you can do for your parents is contact a geriatric management company and let them walk this road with you. It will give you peace of mind, and your parents will receive the best advice and care available.
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