Long Distance Care Giving

Long-distance family caregivers can have difficulty recognizing when a loved one needs in-home care. Don’t hesitate to contact friends, neighbors, or others to ask if they notice any worrisome behavioral changes.

Also, be aware of “red flags” your loved one may casually mention over the phone. Tell-tale signs that professional in-home care is needed may include:

• Challenges with diet, shopping, and nutrition
• Difficulty cleaning or maintaining their home
• Having a fall or other accident at home
• Forgetting to take medications
• Missing or forgetting appointments
• No longer socializing or leaving home regularly
• Not bathing, dressing, or putting on makeup

Long-distance assistance includes emotional support and standard services such as companion care and personal care. We are happy to combine programs for a supportive plan to enhance your loved one’s care and give you peace of mind.

Specialized services, including Alzheimer’s care and dementia care, are available for individuals with memory disorders. Other services, including the Safe and Steady® Fall Prevention program, can be helpful if your loved one lives alone and is at high risk for accidents in their home.

Your loved one’s local agency will conduct a free in-home consultation with your loved one and a detailed phone consultation with you.

Together, you’ll talk through:

• Emotional care (social interaction, conversation, hobbies)
• Homemaking (light housekeeping, laundry)
• Meals (dietary restrictions, meal planning)
• Memory care (reminders to eat, hydrate, take medications)
• Personal care (bathing, dressing, toileting)
• Transportation (grocery shopping, errands, appointments)

In addition to these day-to-day care activities, you’ll also iron out logistical details like scheduling, access to your loved one’s home, and emergency procedures.

Your care coordinator will use input and information about your loved one's life, hobbies, preferences, and health conditions to recommend a caregiver with the ideal skills, experience, and personality to foster a perfect match.

If — for any reason, at any time — you feel the caregiver isn’t the right match, the care coordinator will work with you to select a different in-home caregiver.