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If You're Far Away: tips and tricks to help with remote caretaking

Long distance caregiving can feel challenging, but with the right strategies and tools, you can provide meaningful support, ensure safety and stay connected. Guidelight Dementia Care is here to help guide you with 5 practical long distance caregiving hacks. 

Build a Local Network

  • Write a physical list of family, friends, neighbors, and medical professionals. Use your phone to take a photo of the list and "favorite" it in your photos so you can get to it quickly.

  • Post the list in a conspicuous place in your home. Make copies if needed.

  • Contact the local Alzheimer's Association chapter (1-800-272-3900) or use the online Community Resource Finder to locate important services.

Leverage Technology

  • Use video calls (i.e., Zoom, Facetime, Amazon Echo) for regular chats.

  • Consider safety monitoring tools like a GPS wearable, smart home sensors, or indoor cameras.

  • Medication reminder apps will help your LO be compliant and some can send you alerts if they don't take their medicine.

Perform Regular Check-ins with the Care Team

  • Be consistent in communicating with your LO's care team (including the medical care team).

  • Ask about and track changes in health, mood, daily routines or functional status.

  • Be a good listener.

  • Take notes.

Make the most of in-person visits

  • Plan trips strategically to reassess care needs. 

  • Fill out the ADL tracker each time you are there.

  • Accompany your LO to doctor's appointments.

  •  Update the care team with your observations or overall generalized trends noticed since your prior visit.

  • Prioritize any immediate needs (have the option to stay an extra day to get chores done for them if necessary).

Take Care of Yourself

  • Long distance caregiving is emotionally draining.

  • Prioritize your personal well-being with support groups, therapy, and respite resources. 

  • Educate yourself about the road ahead by using tools like Guidelight Dementia and the Alzheimer's Association. 

  • Remind yourself that coordinating from afar is VALUABLE CAREGIVING too.  

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