The Basics of Long-Distance Caregiving

Did you know you can take on a caregiving role even if you live hours away from the person who requires your assistance? If you’ve recently taken up the role of providing respite care for elderly parents or another loved one, these tips from Griswold Home Care of Hilton Head might help.

Who Can Be a Long-Distance Caregiver?

You can be a caregiver regardless of your gender, income, age or social status. If you live away from your loved one or are not immediately available when help is required, but still assist by arranging for in-home care or providing respite care for a primary caregiver, that makes you a long-distance caregiver.

What Does a Long-Distance Caregiver Do?

Contrary to popular belief, you can still do a lot to provide care even if you don’t live with the patient and aren’t an expert on non-medical home care services. For instance, you can help with the patient’s finances by managing their budget and paying their bills. You can evaluate the living arrangements of the person under your care and decide on the appropriate actions for each need. As a long-distance caregiver, you can also be tasked with relieving the primary caregiver of their duties when they need time off.

Some Tips for First-Timers

Whether it’s a family friend or a relative, it’s important to learn as much as you can about the condition of the person under your care. This will make you better equipped to assist them. When you do visit, prepare games and activities that are relaxing yet can stimulate the mind, especially if the patient has been diagnosed with dementia. It’s also important to stay in touch with the primary caregiver should there be any further assistance needed.

Caregiving at Its Finest