Happy two women of senior age having drinks and working with tablet PC in outdoor cafe on bright summer day

Caring for an aging, sick, or disabled loved one in the same house can be demanding and time-consuming. However, trying to take care of your loved ones from a distance can be even more difficult. Guilt, stress, and constant worry can take its toll, too.

If you are caring for a loved one from a long distance, here are a few suggestions from Nest & Care, a trusted provider of home health care in Rockville, Maryland:

  1. Assess What You Can Do
    You can’t do everything on your own – and that’s okay. Instead of paying attention to what you can’t do, consider instead on what you can do. What are you good at? Are you good at organizing? If so, you can coordinate your parent’s medical care, arrange for home care services or organize important documents. Are you good with finances? If so, you can help manage your parent’s finances and budget. There are numerous things that you can do even from a distance – you just have to assess what you can and can’t do.
  2. Talk to Your Family
    Organize a family meeting – be it in person or via Skype, FaceTime, or some other communication channel. Make sure that everyone is aware of the situation and that everyone understands the needs of the person you are taking care of. Once all questions and issues are addressed, work out a plan of action. Make sure to balance the caregiving duties by recruiting as much help as possible. Make a plan that can accommodate everyone’s availability, skill sets, and preferences. Once the plan is finalized, make sure that everyone stays updated on any changes and issues. Note: Don’t forget to include your parent in the care planning process.
  3. Communicate Regularly
    Most long-distance caregivers feel guilty that they aren’t able to be physically present with their loved ones. A way to address this issue is by making sure that you are communicating regularly. Take advantage of today’s modern technology. Online applications (i.e. Skype, FaceTime), social media platforms (i.e. Facebook, Snapchat, WhatsApp), and other communication methods (i.e. calls, text) make it simple to communicate regularly with your loved ones from a distance.
  4. Plan Regular Visits
    Even if you can’t be there for your loved one 24/7, it doesn’t mean that you can’t visit them from time to time. If possible, make sure to plan regular visits. These visits can be a way for you to check up on them and to bond with them, even if it’s only for a short period of time.

Nest & Care is a dedicated in-home care in Montgomery County, MD. We provide services in Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring, and its neighboring communities. If you’re looking for a dedicated and professional caregiver who can help a loved one for their daily needs, Nest & Care can help.

We carefully match each client with the best caregiver and formulate an individualized plan that best suits the family’s needs and goals. Excellent services for our clients and families is of paramount importance to us. Call us today for your free in-home assessment by a Nest & Care Registered Nurse.