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Long distance care giving

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By GARY JOSEPH LeBLANC

Common Sense Caregiving

Published: October 16, 2009

If you are attempting to care for an ailing parent or relative from across county and state lines, you are not alone. Approximately seven million, long-distance caregivers are doing the same.
It is a difficult and nerve-racking problem, worrying about your loved one from so far away: Is the person eating sufficiently, taking their medications as prescribed or merely just safe?
Today's economy makes matters even worst. Your usual two or three trips per year to check on your loved one may be cutback to just one, due to financial difficulties. If this is the case, plan carefully in advance to assure that you make the most of your visits. Prearrange an appointment with the patient's doctor so you can be present during the examination.
Introduce yourself and explain the situation to the physician. Leave your contact information with the doctor and request that you be advised of any changes. Have a complete list of their medications and dosages composed to take home with you and keep it updated. Even if you're not the person administrating the drugs, you'll never know when this information might be essential.
Acquaint yourself with the patient's neighbors and friends. Ask if they will periodically check on your love ones, this way you'll have a reliable inside source. Leave them several contact numbers if possible. Remember, you cannot rely on what you hear while talking to your afflicted loved one over the phone. They might sound absolutely fine, hang up and have no recollection of even talking to you. You simply cannot have any confidence in these calls.
When you're visiting their home, check to see if there is any edible food in their refrigerx ator.
Also, check for piles of unopened mail to see if bills are promptly being paid. Search out any safety issues.
You might need to spend time making repairs or perhaps adding safety features such as support bars in their bathroom. Be sure to discard all throw rugs.
Just by inspecting their bathroom, you might be able to tell if the patient is practicing good personal hygiene without asking any embarrassing questions.
Now, if there's another family member performing the task of the primary caregiver, make sure that person receives some respite while there is a chance.
Here's a big one, make certain whether or not it's time to have their driving privileges revoked.
Understand that your loved one's independent living is coming to a halt probably faster than anyone conceives.
Each time you make your trip to visit, you will most likely have to stay longer. This is why family planing should be made a priority from the earliest possible moment after the diagnoses.
If several family members are involved, have a telephone conference with 3-way calling. Schedule these group discussions ahead of time, let's say, the last Sunday evening of each month.
Contact the patient's local churches, temples and community groups to see if they deliver meals or provide transportation to and from appointments. If they don't, they'll most likely enlighten you on who does.
Most states have an Elder Care Help Line, for Florida it's 1-800-262-2243 and for Hernando County Senior Services it's 352-796-0485

Gary Joseph Le Blanc was the primary caregiver of his father for more than eight years after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He can be e-mailed at us41books@ bellsouth.n

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