Caring for Senior Loved Ones in Conway, AR, and Surrounding Areas with No Immediate Family Nearby

Adult children worry about aging parents, especially if they live alone or with a spouse whose health or memory is declining. When you no longer live in close proximity to your loved one, it may be very challenging. They are now at an age when they need assistance with everyday tasks. What if neither you nor your other siblings can check on them regularly?

As families spread out, long-distance caregiving has become common. However, even if your family does not live in Perry or Faulkner Counties, AR, you may still set up a support system for your aging relative by using the internet and other community-based services, tools, and resources.

Create a Visitation Schedule for Friends and Family

Seniors who choose to age in place face the danger of social isolation. When one of your parents is caring for your other parent, they may suffer feelings of isolation. During your mother's caring for your father's dementia, their social life may decline. While the guy she's loved for decades goes through these changes, she may feel even more alone than before. It's becoming more of a working relationship than a partnership.

Seniors may find it hard to stay in touch with their friends and family because they may not get as many visitors or go out as much as they used to.

A lonely loved one may find great solace in the company of family, friends, neighbors, and even volunteers from local community groups. Make sure your loved one is ready to welcome visitors by maintaining a schedule of who's coming and when. Don’t have any friends or family who live in Perry and Faulkner Counties? Contact the Area Agency on Aging of West Central Arkansas or CareLink to find out more about local groups that provide companionship to independent seniors.

Create Opportunities for Community Engagement

It's possible that your elderly loved one is lonely, but they aren't actively seeking out methods to socialize or reach out to their neighbors. As people age, they may become less mobile and less interested in going out. In situations like these, seniors who are aging in place would benefit enormously from the encouragement of their loved ones to become engaged in their local community.

Schedule a monthly trip for Mom using Uber or other community ridesharing services to take her to the library or her regular hairdresser. Find out whether the Faulkner County Senior Wellness & Activity Center and any other community facilities in the area provide any services for elderly people who live alone by contacting them. If your father still has access to a car, researching local volunteer activities might be a great opportunity for him to get out of the home and meet new people.

Video Chat

It's important to remain in contact with elderly loved ones, so if your parents aren't currently using a video chat service like Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime, you should urge them to do so. If you are unable to see your father in person, a video call is the next best thing.

Your father may give you the appearance that everything is OK when you visit him, but when you call, he might sound really sad since he misses you so much. The loss of your mother has obviously affected him deeply, despite his attempts to reassure you over the phone. If Dad gives you any clues as to whether he needs more help or if he is doing well and would welcome more visits from loved ones, be sure to make note of them when you call him.

Automate Bill Payments and Pill Deliveries

As people age, they often forget things like doctor's visits and bills. They will have much more free time and energy if their responsibilities are taken care of automatically. A hospital stay may be expensive; therefore, it may be worth it to look into simple ways to help them manage their medications.

You don't have to be there every time Mom needs a payment made or a prescription refilled because of the convenience of online banking and prescription delivery services. You should visit your mother's bank and pharmacy to update their records in person while you're still in town to get things set up, but after you leave, automate as much as you can so you can take care of things without leaving your home.

Shop and Ship Groceries and Essentials Online

If your elderly father has difficulty getting about and needs your help getting groceries, don't fret: Amazon Prime, Target, and Kroger all provide handy delivery services. You may save money by signing up for automatic delivery from one of the numerous online businesses that offer bulk discounts if you and your family go through, say, a box of adult diapers every two months or a case of fruit and veggies every few weeks.

Hire a Professional Caregiver from Visiting Angels of Conway

It may be impossible to either move in with your parents or for them to uproot and relocate to your place due to the great distance between you both. There are a lot of things you can do to help an elderly relative maintain their independence and quality of life in their own home. Visiting Angels of Conway has experienced caregivers who can help seniors at home. This could be the next step after building a safety net in the ways listed above.

So, what can families and elderly loved ones expect from Visiting Angels? Our home care services cover a wide range of needs, from preparation of meals to transportation to doctor's appointments. Our clients enjoy our companion care services and the chance to talk to a caregiver throughout the day. Through our Social Care program, your loved ones may learn to effectively use social media, video conferencing tools, and email to stay in touch with far-flung loved ones. For your peace of mind, our caregivers can keep a close check on your loved one and report any unusual changes in behavior or health to you.

The best part is that you don't even need to be there to plan your loved one's care. Throughout the initial in-home consultation, our care coordinators will remain in constant contact with you by phone and video call. Our mission is to reduce stress for families by simplifying and streamlining the process of arranging in-home care.

Call Visiting Angels of Conway at 501-381-1630 to learn how we can help your senior loved one today!