Long Distance Caregiving: How to Help Aging Family Members Who Live Far Away

Once upon a time ago families weren’t nearly as scattered (geographically speaking!) as they are today. Grandparents lived in the same neighborhood, if not the same city, as their grown children, helping take care of grandchildren, while they in turn were care for by their children (and in some cases, grandchildren) in their old age.

Long distance caregiving is becoming commonplace

These days, families may live hours, or even countries apart, which can create anxiety when parents reach an age when they need help. Trying to take care of parents who live far away can also stir up feelings of regret and guilt.

A recent study reported that some 30 percent of distant caregivers feel their roles are so scant they don’t even consider themselves caregivers, although they often have to shake up their own lives (sacrificing vacation and leisure time and taking leave from work) to spend time with ailing relatives.

Fortunately, while long-distance care isn’t easy, it’s not impossible. Long distance family members can provide emotional support to the primary caregivers who may live closer and can hire in-home health medical/non-medical companion care (like Remain At Home’s unique “hybrid model”), which would attend to all of their personal and clinical needs – from the most complex medical conditions to shopping to pet care (and everything in-between).

Whether we live far from an aging family member, or even close to home, most of us are able to stay at a loved one’s side 24/7/365. The best ideas are to give freely what time and help you can give, and to look for additional resources for the help you can’t. Remain At Home provides an all-inclusive solution to this very complex issue facing families in the modern-age.

By Brian Carrigan
Founder & Co-Manager