Long-Distance Caregiving

More and more families have become geographically dispersed, creating a situation where adult children live far away from their elderly parents and face ongoing worry about their health and safety. As adult children who may not have been home in awhile, you might begin to notice changes in your loved one's behavior or lifestyle and wonder what to do.

Q. What if I can't visit my loved one as often as I would like?

A. While there is no substitute for a visit from a family member, a Lifeline Specialist can be your eyes and ears. Specialists can monitor the services being provided to your loved one and ensure that arrangements you made are being carried out, as well as observe whether your loved one seems happy and well cared for.

Q. I never seem to get a clear answer about how my loved one's doctor visit went, but what can I do if I'm not there?

A. A Lifeline specialist can accompany your loved one to his or her appointment and report the details back to you. A specialist can even check in with you beforehand to discuss your questions and concerns, and bring them to the visit.

Q. My loved one just entered an assisted living community, but I live out of town. How can I determine if he/she is making a good adjustment?

A. A Lifeline specialist can arrange a schedule with you to provide your loved one with visitation to monitor the inevitable glitches and adjustment issues that come with moving to a more supervised living situation. A specialist can act as the liaison between you and the management facility to observe any problems that may arise or go unnoticed by facility staff to ensure that they get resolved quickly.