Tips for Connecting and Caregiving Across the Miles

Caregiving for a parent as they grow older can be equal parts rewarding and challenging. For the seven million adults caring for a loved one who lives more than an hour away, the distance makes the challenges more pronounced. It can take an emotional and physical toll on the adult child. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, long-distance family caregivers are more likely to suffer from worry, guilt, and feelings of helplessness.

These feelings, and the stress that accompanies them, can be attributed to an inability to be present in an aging parent’s home as frequently as you’d like. That often includes worrying that an aging parent won’t have the opportunity to play a meaningful role in their grandchildren’s lives.

Video chat platforms make it easier for families who are separated by any amount of distance to connect and bond. Platforms like Zoom and Skype are easy to navigate and can be accessed on tablets or laptops.

As a long-distance caregiver, you can use video conversations to visually assess how your senior loved one is really doing. While they might tell you by phone that things are fine, seeing them allows you to evaluate the situation for yourself. For example, you can look for signs of unintended weight loss or a flushed face that might indicate a fever.

4 Ways to Use Video Chat to Bond with a Senior

Families can also use video chat services in other ways. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

• Play games virtually: You can play games together across the miles via Zoom or Skype. Charades, Heads Up!, and Pictionary all translate well across video services. You can each provide your own snacks to enjoy during your time online together. The camaraderie can be especially welcome for a senior stuck indoors because of mobility challenges or bad weather.
• Host celebrations: When grandparents live far away and aren’t able to travel to join in special celebrations, they might feel left out of important milestones in a grandchild’s life. Using a video service, you can enjoy parties together. One way is to livestream events in a Facebook group or by FaceTime. You could also buy and wrap holiday gifts for family members to open when everyone is together online. The same holds true for treats. For example, order cupcakes or a small birthday cake for people at both ends to snack on during your virtual party.
• Share religious studies: Many churches and synagogues stream weekly services. Families could sign on to watch these “together.” Older adults and their families might also enjoy religious studies, such as Sunday school or Bible study groups, that offer opportunities for personal interaction. This Women’s Ministry Toolbox has tips and resources you might find useful for hosting these types of programs virtually.
• Read stories: Children often love books and reading. They might like having someone read stories to them or have an adult, especially a grandparent, listen to them read. You could make a habit of including a senior loved one virtually in story time, including before bedtime. To make it easier, borrow or purchase two copies of the same books. Most libraries have digital copies you can check out electronically, too. Another option is to check whether you can borrow books from your library system with the Libby app. It’s free and has many children’s books to choose from.

These are just a few ideas to explore. Once you get started, loved ones will probably come up with other ways to bond virtually.

Mobile Monitoring Units Bring Peace of Mind

Another way technology has made life less stressful for long-distance caregivers is with easy-to-use devices like the mobile monitoring unit. It allows the user to discreetly summon help with the press of a button. Call 1-844-203-5617 to learn more!