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Support for Long-Distance Caregivers

Don't go it alone. Ask for help from others.

By NIH/National Institute on Aging

Based on content from the NIH/National Institute on Aging publication, “So Far Away: 20 Questions and Answers About Long-Distance Caregiving.”


There comes a time when a long-distance caregiver can't go it alone any more. A family member or loved one becomes so frail or sick that 24-hour care is required.

Close contact is still necessary, but going through a professional caregiver can add another layer to what's needed to ensure daily needs are met. This could add even more personal stress at home, and you may need to give yourself a break.

How can I be sure my father’s caregiver isn’t mistreating him or taking his things? Everything has been fine so far, but I’m worried that if Dad’s memory deteriorates, something might happen.

From a distance, it can be hard to assess the quality of your father’s caregivers. Ideally, if there is a primary caregiver on the scene, he or she can keep tabs on how things are going. Perhaps you have already identified friends or neighbors who can stop in unannounced to be your eyes and ears. Sometimes, a geriatric care manager can help. You can stay in touch with your father by phone and take note of any comments or mood changes that might indicate neglect or mistreatment. These can happen in any setting, at any socioeconomic level. Abuse can take many forms, including domestic violence, emotional abuse, financial abuse, theft, and basic neglect.
 
Sometimes the abuser is a hired caregiver, but other times it is someone your father knows.

If you feel that your parent is in physical danger, contact the authorities right away. If you suspect abuse, but do not feel there is an immediate risk, contact someone who can act on your behalf: your parent’s doctor, for instance, or your contact at a home health agency. Suspected abuse must be reported to adult protective services.

How can I lighten the load for my mother? Over the years, Dad’s condition has worsened, and now when we talk, Mom sounds exhausted.

Your mother may be hesitant to ask for help or to say that she needs a break. Be sure to acknowledge how important her care has been for your father. Also, discuss the physical and emotional effects caregiving can have on people. Although caregiving can be satisfying, it also can be very hard work. Offer to arrange for respite care.

Respite care will give your mother a break from her caregiving responsibilities. Respite care can be arranged for just an afternoon or for several days. Care can be provided in the family home, or your dad may spend the time in an adult day services program or at a skilled nursing facility. The ARCH National Respite Locator Service can help you find services in your parent’s community. You might suggest your mother contact the Well Spouse Association — it offers support to the wives, husbands, and partners of chronically ill or disabled people and has a nationwide listing of local groups.

In time, your father may have to move to assisted living or a nursing home. If that happens, your mother will need your support. You can help her select a facility. She may need help adjusting to his absence or to living alone in their home. Just listening may not sound like much help, but often it is.

Should I encourage my parents to get more help? The last time I visited, my mom seemed very confused, like she just wasn’t quite there. Dad didn’t seem to notice and didn’t want to talk about it when I asked him.

If you do not see your parent often, changes in his or her health may seem dramatic. In contrast, the primary caregiver might not notice such changes or realize that more help, medical treatment, or supervision is needed. Or, the primary caregiver might not want to accept the fact that the health of his or her spouse or parent is failing. Sometimes a geriatric care manager or other professional is the first to notice changes. For families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, it can be easier to “cover” for the patient — doing things for him or her, filling in information in conversations, and so on — than to acknowledge what is happening.

Discuss what you think could be done: Would you like me to arrange to have groceries delivered on a regular basis? Do we need to get a second opinion about the diagnosis? Can you follow the medication schedule? Would you like some help with housework? Try to follow your suggestions with practical help, and give specific examples of what you can do. For example, you might arrange to have a personal or home health aide come in once a week. You might schedule doctors’ appointments or arrange for transportation.

In some cases, you may have to be forceful, especially if you feel that the situation is unhealthy or unsafe. Do not leave a frail adult at risk. If you have to act against the wishes of your parent or the primary caregiver, be direct and explain what you are going to do. Discuss your plan, and say why you are taking action.

My mom is getting frailer, and my dad admits that keeping up with chores around their house is getting to be too much.

How can I help my folks decide if it’s time for them to move? I don’t think they can stay in their own home much longer. What are their options? I’m at a loss.

The decision about whether your parents should move is often tricky and emotional. Each family will have its own reasons for wanting (or not wanting) to take such a step. One family may decide a move is right because the parents can no longer manage the home.For another family, the need for hands-on care in a long-term care facility motivates a change. In some cases, a move frees up cash so that the parent can afford a more suitable situation. For others, the desire to move to a safer location is hampered by a lack of funds to cover the cost of the new home.

In the case of long-distance caregivers, the notion of moving can seem like a solution to the problem of not being close enough to help. For some caregivers, bringing a sick or aging parent to their own home or community can be a viable alternative. Some families decide to have an adult child move back to the parent’s home to become the primary caregiver.

Older adults and their families have some options when it comes to deciding where to live, but these choices can be limited by factors such as illness, ability to perform activities of daily living (for example, eating, bathing, using the toilet, dressing, walking, and moving from bed to chair), financial resources, and personal preferences. Making a decision that is best for your parent—and making that decision with your parent — can be difficult. Try to learn as much as you can about possible housing options.

Older adults, or those with serious illness, can choose to:

  • Stay in their own home or move to a smaller one.
  • Move to an assisted-living facility.
  • Move to a long-term care facility.
  • Move in with another family member.

Some families find a conference call is a good way to talk together about the pros and cons of each option. The goal of this call is to come up with a plan that works for everyone, especially your parent. If the decision involves a move for your mom or dad, even from a distance, you could offer to arrange tours of some places for their consideration.

What happens if my mother gets too sick to stay at home? She is terrified of ending up in an institution and has asked me to promise that I won’t put her in a nursing home. It is hard for me to figure out what to say.

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If you are over 40, chances are you’ve had a similar conversation with someone you love. It might come up if you see a segment about nursing homes while watching the evening news. “I never want to be in a nursing home,” your mother says. This thought usually reflects what most of us want: to stay in our own homes, to maintain independence, to turn to family and friends for help.

Sometimes, however, parents want their adult children to promise that they won’t go to a nursing home. Think carefully before doing so. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, “Quality of care means doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right way, for the right person, and having the best possible results.” Agreeing that you will not “put” someone in a nursing home may close the door to the right care option for your family. It requires you to know that no matter what happens you will be able to care for your parent. The fact is that for some illnesses and for some people, professional health care in a long-term care facility is the only reasonable choice.

If you’ve already made a promise to your parent, remember you can bring the subject up again. You can modify your answer to something more specific, something you feel you can undertake. As hard as that conversation might be, it may be better than risking the guilt of a promise not kept.

What if I’m told Mom only has a few months to live? I can’t fly out to be with her for that long, but I want her to know that I am here for her.

The news that a family member is dying is difficult to hear — and yet, it is a basic part of life. When you hear that a parent has a terminal illness, you may be flooded with emotions: sorrow, disbelief, anger, anxiety. It can be hard to know what to do or what to say. Fortunately, many organizations are working to improve the lives of dying people and their families. Think about a hospice program. Hospice provides special care for people who are near the end of life. Check with Medicare for information on hospice benefits.Talk to your own friends, clergy, or colleagues. Many have probably experienced the serious illness and death of a beloved friend or family member. Exchanging stories can help you cope with your own impending loss and might provide some ideas as you try to decide what to do.

Contact your parent’s doctor and talk to your own healthcare provider as well to find out what will need to be done, the kinds of care that your mother or father is likely to need, and how you can arrange for it to happen. And if there is a primary caregiver, ask what you can do for them.

Be there for your parent when you can. Spend time with your mom or dad and let your parent know the important part he or she has played in your life. When you can’t be there, you can send notes or cards or a taped message, in addition to calling.

Some people find that it is very hard to talk about death and dying and will go to great lengths to avoid the subject. Difficult as it is, talk to your parents about what is going on, but if you can’t have that conversation, don’t let that add to your worry. There is no single “right” way to approach the death of a loved one.

Why do I feel so frustrated and guilty? I didn’t realize that not being nearby every day would be so stressful.

You might think that being far away gives you some immunity from feeling overwhelmed by what is happening to your parent, but long-distance caregivers report otherwise. Caregiving, especially from a distance, is likely to bring out many different emotions, both positive and negative. Feeling frustrated and angry with everyone, from your parent to the doctors, are common experiences. It can be hard to acknowledge that you feel this way, but try not to criticize yourself even more. Anger could be a sign that you are overwhelmed or that you are trying to do too much. If you can, give yourself a break: take a walk, talk with your friends, get some sleep — try to do something for yourself.

If you are like most long-distance caregivers, you already have many people who rely on you: your spouse, children, perhaps even grandchildren, as well as friends, coworkers, and colleagues. Adding one more “to do” to your list may seem impossible.

What can I do to take care of myself?

Taking care of yourself might seem like the last thing you should be thinking about, but you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else.

You might find some consolation or comfort in knowing that you are not alone. Consider joining a caregiver support group, either in your own community or online. Meeting other caregivers can relieve your sense of isolation and will give you a chance to exchange stories and ideas.

Support groups can be a great resource and a way to learn caregiving tips and techniques that work — even from afar. Some people find the camaraderie and companionship helpful. Perhaps an online support group is more your style. By focusing on what you have been able to contribute, you may be able to free yourself from some of the worry. The Eldercare Locator may be able to help you find a local group.

NIH/National Institute on Aging
By NIH/National Institute on Aging
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