Senior Care Norwood MA
Being a distance caregiver for a senior loved one can be challenging. You want to know that your parent is getting all of the care and support that they need, but you are not close enough to actually be in the home with them as often as you would like them to. This can not only leave you worrying about them, but might cause you to worry that your parent-child relationship is not as strong as it could be. Making an effort to stay in touch with them is an important part of not only being the best caregiver that you can be for them, but helping to maintain your relationship with them throughout your care experience.
Use these tips to help you stay in touch with your senior parent throughout your experience as a distance caregiver:
• Schedule phone calls. You might think that you will not forget to call your parent to check in, but the reality is that a busy schedule and other obligations can make it so that these calls slip your mind. Keep this from happening by scheduling the calls that you have with your parent. Pick a few times a week that work for both of you and call consistently. This will not only keep you in touch, but will also give your parent something to look forward to.
• Have video chats. Hearing each other’s voice is great, but actually being able to see each other’s face makes the connection that much stronger. Help your parent understand how to use a video chatting system on the computer or on their mobile device so that you can schedule regular video chats between the two of you, as well as with your children, partner, and others.
• Start an email account. Even if your parent is not technologically savvy, email is accessible and easy to use. This lets you send them messages whenever the mood strikes you, and your parent can do the same. This is an easy and basic way to send pictures of your family or send reminders about things that your parent needs to do. It is also a great central hub for other care responsibilities, such as going paperless with their bills.
• Introduce them to social media. For the slightly more adventurous senior, help them learn how to use social media platforms. These can help them to stay in touch with you, as well as other friends and family members. They can even start and build friendships. Consider establishing accounts that are private and only accessible to the two of you and other authorized people so that you can keep your parent secure and share more information, pictures, and conversations securely.
• Send care packages. Let your parent know that you are thinking about them by occasionally sending care packages through the mail. These little surprises do not have to be elaborate. Instead, they can just be a few treats, a book or puzzle, some pictures, and maybe a couple of pieces of art from your children. Just receiving something from you will make your parent feel loved and support your relationship.
As a distance caregiver, one of your greatest resources can be senior care. A senior home care services provider can act as an extension of the care that you give to your aging parent, ensuring that their needs are met in the way that is best for them. They can also help your parent to learn how to use resources such as email, mobile devices, and social media safely and effectively so that they can maintain a close relationship with you and the highest quality of life possible as they age in place.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care Services in Norwood MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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