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Not every caregiver lives close by. For some, hundreds of miles can separate them from their loved one. It’s certainly not an ideal situation — but it’s not an impossible one. It’s easy to feel as if there is nothing you can do when you’re not close by, however the truth is that you can make a difference in caring for a loved one no matter the distance.
Challenges faced by long-distance caregivers
Long-distance caregiving typically refers to providing care coordination and support for a loved one who lives an hour or more away — or in another city or state. While you may not be present daily, your role is no less critical. Long-distance caregivers often manage medical appointments, coordinate services, oversee finances, and provide emotional support, acting as an advocate and care manager from afar.
Distance introduces unique obstacles, including:
- Limited visibility into day-to-day needs
- Difficulty responding quickly in emergencies
- Feelings of guilt or helplessness
- Coordinating care across time zones, relying on secondhand information and balancing caregiving with work and family responsibilities can also increase stress and burnout
Millions of Americans identify as long-distance caregivers, with many supporting loved ones who live several hours away or even across the country. As families become more geographically dispersed, long-distance caregiving is becoming increasingly common — making proactive planning and strong support systems more important than ever.
10 long-distance caregiving tips
The National Alliance for Caregiving notes about 13% of Americans provide long-distance care for a loved one. Older adults living alone need different types of care and support based on their health and lifestyle. It’s important to involve your loved one in the conversation. Use these tips to help provide the support they require and want so you can be advocate they need.
1. Understand insurance options
Navigating insurance can be complex, especially from a distance. Take time to understand your loved one’s coverage, including Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care insurance or veterans’ benefits. Knowing what services are covered can help you plan care more effectively and avoid unexpected costs.
2. Manage expenses
Long-distance caregiving often comes with additional expenses, such as travel, home modifications or paid support services. Creating a budget and tracking expenses can help you anticipate costs and identify potential financial assistance programs.
3. Have legal documents in order and accessible
Having the right legal documents in place is essential. Powers of attorney, health care directives, and consent forms allow you to make decisions and access information when needed. Addressing these matters early can help prevent delays and added stress during urgent situations.
4. Delegate where you can
You don’t have to do everything yourself. Identify which tasks can be handled remotely — such as scheduling appointments, ordering groceries or meals, or managing bills — and which require local support. Delegating responsibilities can prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and helps ensure no critical needs are overlooked.
Local professionals can be invaluable extensions of your caregiving team. Home care aides, care managers, social workers and health care providers offer eyes and ears on the ground. These professionals can provide updates, flag concerns early and help coordinate care when you can’t be there in person.
5. Arrange visits by you and with others
It’s common for older adults to struggle with loneliness when they’re living alone. Use your in-person visits not only to connect and catch up, but also to observe changes that may not be obvious over the phone. Pay attention to mobility, nutrition, home safety and mood. These observations can help you adjust the care plan and identify if additional support is needed.
Social interactions and emotional connections with family and friends can lift their spirits and have a positive impact on their well-being. If your loved one lives near friends or family, ask if they can spend some time with your loved one on a regular basis.
6. Create a local contact list
Keep a list of the emergency assistance providers in your loved one’s area. It’s also a good idea to have names and numbers for their doctors and some neighbors and friends, so you’ll know who to call if you have a concern.
7. Use technology to reach out regularly
Technology makes it quick and easy to maintain relationships that span the globe. Establish regular check-ins and use technology to stay connected with your loved one. First, make sure they have the right equipment and are comfortable using it for calls, texts and video chats. If they need tech support, talk them through the process, share “how to” videos or have someone local do an in-person demo for them. Also, consider whether they could benefit from a cell phone designed for older adults. Remember to be patient. Learning anything at any age takes time and practice.
8. Encourage community connections
Having a circle of friends for support and activities to join can help with loneliness and improve overall health. Encourage your loved one to find activities that sound interesting. If driving is an issue, help them find local transportation options.
9. Provide an emergency call button
Medical alert systems with fall detectors are excellent safety devices for older adults who live alone because they provide peace of mind for everyone. If the individual wearing the device has a fall or medical situation, they can push a button and dispatchers can send assistance right away.
10. Support quality nutrition
For many people living alone — no matter their age — cooking meals can be a chore. Mobility and transportation issues can add to the challenge of shopping and preparing meals. Rather than making a healthy meal, they might just opt for snacks or takeout, and that can lead to poor nutrition and adverse health effects.
A medically tailored home-delivered meal service, like Mom’s Meals®, is a convenient way to help ensure your loved one gets the quality nutrition they need to help maintain their health and independence. Find out if your loved one may qualify to receive FREE meals
Mom’s Meals food as medicine solutions can help
Mom’s Meals provides the most comprehensive food as medicine solutions nationwide. Our nutrition solutions are designed for all ages to bring comfort and inspire confidence in people seeking to live healthier, manage chronic health conditions, recover from illness and continue to live independently. Our integrated solutions include medically tailored meals, produce and pantry boxes, oral nutrition supplements and shelf-stable, kosher and halal meals, backed by nutrition counseling and education.
We offer medically tailored meals for most common nutrition-sensitive chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, heart and renal diseases along with gluten-free and vegetarian options:
- 9 delicious menus and 60+ meal choices
- Ready-to-heat-and-eat convenience
- Designed by registered dietitians and crafted by professional chefs
- Made from high-quality ingredients
- Produced in USDA- and FDA- inspected facilities
Mom’s Meals are free from added MSG, partially hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, added trans fats, artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and preservatives banned in the European Union. Our meal trays do not contain harmful chemicals often found in black plastics, including BPA, phthalates and certain flame retardants like brominated and organophosphate compounds.
Technology has made it possible to maintain relationships that span the globe, so use those tools to show you’re still part of their life — even at a distance.
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