How to Ensure Health and Happiness from When You Are Not near a Family Member

If you have someone who is elder and needs help, here is an article sent to me to address this.

Long-Distance Care: Tips On How To Ensure A Loved One Is Healthy And Happy From Afar

Photo via Pixabay by ArtWithTammy

When you live far away from a senior loved one, it can be difficult to ensure they receive the care they need and that their emotional needs are met. For many people, trying to plan for a family member from afar is stressful and comes with feelings of guilt because they can’t be there in person.

Fortunately, there are several simple things you can do to help make sure your senior loved one is well taken care of no matter where you live. Nowadays, technology makes it easier than ever to stay informed and maintain a presence in your family members’ lives, even from afar. For seniors who have health issues, mobility issues, or are ready to downsize their home so that they can age-in-place, this is imperative and can help you have more control over the situation.

Here are some of the best ways you can help your loved one.

Communicate with your family

If your family is scattered across the country, it may be hard to pin everyone down to share information and make decisions that will affect your loved one. Keep up communication as much as possible through email or by using an app like Skype so you can talk and see one another at the same time. Set up meetings to discuss any upcoming events or planning that needs to be done. Keeping everyone on the same page will ensure that the bulk of the work won’t fall on any one person’s shoulders.

Get organized…

Whether you have power of attorney for your loved one or are just the most responsible family member, it’s important to get organized and keep all valuable paperwork and info together regarding your loved one. Make copies for yourself so your family member can hold onto the originals, and make copies of any important keys as well so you’ll have access to the home or vehicles should you need it. Keep everything together, in one place.

Arrange for transportation

If you can’t be around to help get your loved one to doctor’s appointments or to go shopping and they don’t drive, arrange for transportation to help them stay independent. Many cities offer free bus rides for seniors, and there are also services offered by hospitals, senior care centers, and assisted living facilities.

You can find more information about arranging transportation for your loved one here.

Find the right apps

There are plenty of apps available for seniors who have a smartphone and feel comfortable using that technology. For instance, you might help your loved one download an app that will help them remember to take their medication or one that monitors and records blood pressure. There’s even an app that will help your loved one keep track of their medical records so there’s no confusion the next time they go to the doctor. Whatever your senior’s needs are, there’s likely an app that will help them with their daily activities.

Help them stay social

Maintaining a healthy, active social life is important for seniors of any age, no matter what their living situation is. For those who have issues with mobility or are battling a health problem, staying social can help boost their self-esteem and give them a sense of purpose, so help your loved one find clubs to join or activities to take part in where they live.

Making sure your senior loved one is healthy and happy isn’t always easy, but with a little planning, there are many ways you can be involved in their life and help them with everyday issues. Keep communication open and be prepared to ensure your family member will stay safe and enjoy each day.