RespiteMatch.com Health Blog

Key Words
long-distance caregiving

Long-distance caregiving can be just as or even more stressful than being there. Long-distance caregivers may not be on site providing direct care, but they could be busy in their role as care managers — locating and coordinating services; negotiating with the care recipient, health professionals and family members; delegating tasks; monitoring the situation and making decisions.Telephone and travel may provide some relief but distance can heighten the caregiver’s feelings of anxiety and guilt. An extended period of long-distance caregiving exacts a heavy toll on the caregiver’s personal, family and work life.

Canadian statistics on caregiving:

69% of caregivers are women — mostly married, working mothers
70% of care recipients are women
58% of care recipients are 65 years and older
Nearly half a million Canadians moved to care for someone with a long-term illness or to be cared for by a relative or friend
Half of the caregiving relationships that involve a move concern an adult child taking care of an ailing parent
In nearly one in five cases, people moved closer to care for a friend
Source: Statistics Canada’s General Social Survey (1996)

Top

Things You Should Know

all the usual caregiving worries are magnified when a caregiver is far away
before considering becoming a long distance caregiver you should consider:
what publicly funded services are available in the community where the person needing care lives? Are they accessible to the person needing care? Will they need help accessing them? If they do need help, is someone within the person’s community available?
is there a relative or friend nearby the person needing care who can help?
can you tolerate the travel fatigue?
how will this decision impact on the rest of your family?
how will your decision affect work?
can you afford the extra costs involved?
are you emotionally prepared for the added burdens?
can you be patient and assertive enough when communicating long distance?
Top
Things to Look For

Warning signs that a person may require care assistance:

deteriorating physical or mental health
poor hygiene
missed meals
malnutrition
incontinence
unsafe or unsanitary living conditions
mental confusion
memory problems
signs of depression
wandering
poor judgment
poor decision-making
unpaid bills
limited mobility
inability to drive
lack of access to transportation
lack of a social network
In telephone conversations, gently probe for information about the person’s health and well-being. Listen for cues that may indicate problems. If possible, visit to assess the situation.

Top
Special Situations

Moving/Relocation

Should the person requiring care move in with you? Or should you move closer to be with them? Review the alternatives. What does the person need to stay in their own home? Perhaps home modifications and community services will suffice. If not, look for options that allow the care recipient, especially an older person, to continue living in the same community.

Factors to consider before moving or relocating a senior

the care recipient’s needs for independence and familiarity with friends and community
your past relationship with the care recipient
your needs and your family’s needs
lifestyle differences
the home environment — space, privacy, safety
the availability of proper health care
the availability of publicly funded community resources to help the care recipient
your emotional, physical and financial capability to deal with the person’s care needs
cost of associated care if this is not available or accessible from the publicly funded system
the impact on your job
How long you expect the arrangement to last
the effect of an out-of-province or out-of-country move on eligibility for health-care and other services
Relocation for a caregiver may be inevitable if

community services are not available or accessible for the care recipient
the physician recommends it
the person needs 24-hour care or supervision
the person can no longer live safely at home
Top