{"id":7523,"date":"2024-01-10T08:11:09","date_gmt":"2024-01-10T13:11:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.silvercentury.org\/?p=7523"},"modified":"2024-01-10T08:11:09","modified_gmt":"2024-01-10T13:11:09","slug":"tips-for-long-distance-caregivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/78.142.243.82\/~silvercentury\/2024\/01\/tips-for-long-distance-caregivers\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Long-Distance Caregivers"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is part 2 of a series about caregiving from a distance. Read part 1 here<\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Fern, 92, called her daughter in a panic. She couldn\u2019t turn off her television because she couldn\u2019t find the remote. Due to Fern\u2019s hearing loss, the volume was very high. Fern was afraid the blaring TV would keep her and her neighbors up all night.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her daughter, Monica, couldn\u2019t help. She was in Michigan; Fern lives alone in Sarasota, FL. <\/span><\/p>\n

Fern\u2019s situation wasn\u2019t life threatening. But it\u2019s an example of how even a minor issue can become a crisis when an older loved one lives far away. For the millions of Americans in that situation, it\u2019s a major source of stress. In fact, research suggests that long-distance caregiving is even more stressful than face-to-face caregiving. <\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike those caring for an older adult nearby, long-distance caregivers often face situations that can\u2019t just be handled as they arise, whether it\u2019s a missing TV remote or a serious medical crisis like a stroke or an injury due to a fall. There are no easy fixes. But experts advise that thinking ahead, and assembling a support team, can help families navigate long-distance caregiving more effectively. Here are some tips. <\/span><\/p>\n

Divide and Conquer <\/b><\/p>\n

Start by gathering family members for a conference, virtually or in-person, advises Maria Hood, a social worker and director of admissions at United Hebrew, a senior care community in the New York metropolitan area.  <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDevelop a strategy to divide and conquer,\u201d Hood says. Make a plan to rotate visits and regular phone calls. Clarify roles so no one person feels overburdened. Those who can\u2019t visit in person might tackle other tasks: a family member who is an accountant can help manage financial issues; another who\u2019s a medical professional can establish lines of communication with the older adult\u2019s physician. <\/span><\/p>\n

As much as possible, involve the older adult in the conversation, and initiate<\/span> it before a medical crisis or other \u201cpoint of vulnerability\u201d occurs, adds Barry Wu, MD, professor of medicine (geriatrics) at Yale School of Medicine.  <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUnderstand what your [older adult] family member\u2019s wishes are,\u201d Wu says. \u201cIf they don\u2019t want aggressive treatment in the event of a medical emergency, the family should know that. If their heart stops, or they stop breathing, do they want to be hospitalized? Do they want a feeding tube? You need to know what their wishes are.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Other questions to ask might include:  <\/span><\/p>\n