As many as fifteen percent of senior citizens live in a different state from their children. This may be fine while they are in full possession of their mental faculties, can cope with the activities of daily living independently, such as shopping for and cooking a meal and going to the bathroom unaided, and are in relatively good health. However, when one of these factors changes, children of aging parents that are living in a different state need to consider how best to care for them. Here are some tips to help you take control of the situation.
Elect a Spokesperson
If there are several adult children and other relatives in the family, it is necessary to elect a spokesperson who will keep everyone informed and highlight emergency situations or conditions needing attention and can schedule a family member to provide assistance. Starting a family WhatsApp group can keep everyone in the loop and ensure swift and timely communication. The spokesperson will liaise with the aging person’s medical team and obtain the facts to understand how serious an illness or condition might be and what care is needed.
Allocate Duties to the Family Team
The spokesperson needs to draw up a schedule to ensure that someone phones the elderly person daily to check in. This will also be appreciated as your parent may have a reduced social circle as they get older and friends pass away, move, or become too sick to provide regular company. Also, determine what aspects of their life your parent is struggling with, such as managing their finances and allocate these duties to the most competent person in the family.
Consider Hiring a Helper
If your parent is battling to cope with preparing meals and getting dressed, or other activities of daily living, you may be able to arrange for a home helper to assist with these tasks during the day to ensure that your relative is looked after. However, if the person in question has developed a disease like dementia, they may need full time care. This may mean looking for a nursing home or other alternative accommodation to provide a safe living environment and extra care to allow the patient to have a decent quality of life. This will mean agreeing as a family how this will be paid for and if your parent has the financial resources to cover care.
Moving Your Parent into Your Home
If one of the siblings has the space to take in their parent, this is often the best solution. Being with loved ones can give your parent a new lease on life. You can arrange non-emergency medical care aboard a plane to relocate your parent. You can arrange for Flying Angels to provide a flight nurse who is fully qualified to deal with the medical needs and comfort of your parent while flying.
Once your parent is safely ensconced in your home, be sure to include them in daily meals and activities to ensure that they feel loved and welcome. Prepare healthy food to boost their health and take them on outings provided they can cope; it might mean hiring a wheelchair to get them around.
Before moving them to your home you may need to make a few changes in your home ot ensure that the space is suited to their needs, especially if they have mobility concerns. Making changes in your bathroom such as adding a Disabled Shower could be one needed change.
With your loved one taken care of, you can put your mind at rest and simply enjoy their company.