Tips for Effective Long-Distance Senior Care in Annapolis, MD and Surrounding Areas

It may be emotionally and physically exhausting for family caregivers to provide long-distance care for elderly and disabled relatives in Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Millersville, Pasadena, Crownsville, Arnold and the surrounding towns. The National Alliance for Caregiving estimates that families who provide long-distance care for senior loved ones are 47 percent more likely to experience emotional discomfort than those who provide care for a loved one that lives nearby.

Why is it so difficult for families to give long-distance care for their elderly relatives? Adult children with other commitments, such as work, education and family obligations, may find it difficult or impossible to care for their aging parents. With so much on your plate, keeping tabs on loved ones and providing them with the support they need may be challenging.

It doesn't have to be hard to help an elderly loved one who lives far away. Your family may rest easy knowing that Visiting Angels Annapolis's in-home care services can let your loved one age in place securely and peacefully. Our caregivers can provide companionship and daily assistance with household tasks to a senior loved one while keeping the rest of your family informed of how they're doing on a daily basis. It doesn't matter if you don't live in Anne Arundel County; our experts can help you arrange long-distance elder care.

Make long-distance caregiving less of a challenge by using these strategies.

Discuss your loved one’s needs

Discuss the kind of care your loved one needs with your family and any professional caregivers you decide to hire. If you have any doubts about your abilities to help your loved one, don't be hesitant to express them. For example, if your loved one needs help with legal, medical or financial issues, you may be able to help from the comfort of your own home, no matter where you live. Visiting Angels Annapolis can help you and your family establish a plan for dividing up caregiving duties that is tailored to the abilities and schedules of each family member.

Make the most of your visits

Regular in-person visits give you a chance to see how your loved one is doing physically and emotionally. Make sure they're healthy by keeping an eye on their surroundings and doing the chores they can't do. With the support of Visiting Angels Annapolis, you and your loved one may spend more quality time together.

Keep an eye on your loved one’s living spaces

Whenever you pay a visit to a loved one, be sure to examine the home to see whether it's fit for their specific care needs and medical issues. With the assistance of a Visiting Angels Annapolis home care professional, you and other family members may help an aging loved one stay safe and prevent falling at home. Make a point of keeping an eye out for signs that your loved one is having difficulties moving around the house or accessing certain places and objects.

Designate a person to keep you informed

The best thing you can do for a family member's health is to have a single point of contact. If you don't have anybody in your immediate family who can help, consider hiring a caregiver from Visiting Angels Annapolis or asking a neighbor your loved one trusts. Having a "second set of eyes and ears" keep an eye on your loved one's health and behavior could help you and your family keep track of any major changes.

Plan for emergencies

When arranging long-distance care, make a plan to safeguard the safety of a loved one in the case of an emergency. If anything happens to a loved one that requires immediate medical attention, you can stay prepared if you have access to that person's emergency medical file. You'll save time since you'll always have access to their medical history using this method.

Know the common signs of elder abuse

Elder abuse is a typical issue for families with elderly relatives who reside far away. However, if you know what to look for, you can do your best to protect your loved one. Elder abuse is often characterized by sudden changes in behavior, seclusion, unexplained injuries, or preventable infections like bed sores.

How Does Visiting Angels Annapolis Take the Stress Out of Long-Distance Senior Care?

Visiting Angels Annapolis provides in-home care services for seniors in Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Millersville, Pasadena, Crownsville, Arnold and other surrounding communities in Maryland. We provide a comprehensive selection of services that can be personalized to your loved one's individual care needs and schedule. Your family can have peace of mind knowing that your loved one will get the care they need in the familiar surroundings of their own home thanks to the help of our Angels. Our caregivers are able to assist with the preparation of meals, moving from room to room if your loved one is recovering from knee surgery, assisting with getting ready for the day and a wide variety of other tasks.

To learn how Visiting Angels Annapolis can help with long-distance senior care, call us at 410-505-5141 to schedule a free in-home consultation.