Although your senior loved one may prefer to grow old in their own home, they may require the help of a caregiver to be comfortable. If you’re caring for an older relative, but you don’t live nearby, you’ll need to think of ways to give them the support they need from a distance. Here are a few ideas.

A Guide to Remote Caregiving 

1. Ask Family for Help

If you have relatives who live closer to your loved one, ask them to deal with day-to-day duties like cleaning and preparing food. In return, you could take on tasks that can be done from afar, such as making appointments by phone and dealing with online documents. If multiple family members live nearby, they could take turns being the primary caregiver.

2. Make the Most of Visits 

When you have an opportunity to visit your loved one, make arrangements ahead of time. Ask other caregivers what you can do to help while you’re in the home, like organizing paperwork or making repairs. Also, ask your senior loved one what they’d like to do while you’re with them, such as playing a certain game or sharing a favorite meal. 

3. Arrange Home Care

A professional caregiver is highly trained to give your loved one the best possible support. This includes tasks such as housekeeping, running errands, and assisting with medication. You can still provide long-distance care, but you can rest assured that your relative is in safe hands with a fully qualified primary caregiver at their home.

4. Use Technology

Show your senior relative how to use a cell phone or make video calls, which will make it easier for you to give them emotional support. Schedule conference calls with doctors or home care professionals to see how your loved one is doing.

Use smart home devices that allow lighting and temperature to be automated or adjusted remotely with an app on your phone. Provide your loved one with a medical alert bracelet so that they can notify a professional monitoring service during an emergency.

Your loved one will benefit greatly from having a professional caregiver as part of their support network. Safe Haven Home Care in Brooklyn, NY, is run by a registered nurse with over 25 years of experience. Their team provides a wide range of in-home nursing and care services, including meal preparation, companionship, and occupational therapy. They also serve families throughout Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Call (718) 968-6970 to speak to a team member, or visit them online to learn more about how they can care for your loved one.