My parents, who are starting to need more help, live 1,000 miles away. Any suggestions for caring from afar?
When out of sight is anything but out of mind, Dianne Zimmerman, an experienced long-distance caregiver, offers these suggestions to get you off on the right foot: Create a plan before a crisis occurs Anticipate a decline in health and the need to step into the role of long-distance caregiver. An open discussion with family members to develop a plan in advance will prove valuable later on. There will be many things to do for everyone, so determine who’ll best be able to perform them. Schedule daily, weekly or monthly updates—via teleconference, email or face-to-face meetings—depending on what works best or what is needed most. Get organized Create folders or a tabbed binder to organize all information about a loved one’s personal, health, legal and financial affairs. As care needs evolve, so, too, will your informational needs. Also, obtain a phone directory of your loved one’s local area. Identify a support team where your loved one lives It’s essential to build a local team of advise
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