Being A Caregiver From A Distance | myALZteam

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Being A Caregiver From A Distance
A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭

Wanting info and tips on how to navigate being a caregiver from a distance (a plane trip away). If anyone else is in this situation, I'd love to hear how you coordinate with staff where your loved one lives, how you oversee transportation, how you stay in touch with doctors, etc. It is overwhelming but I need to make it work.

posted January 15, 2020
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A myALZteam Member

I did care giving long distance and then I just decided to quit my job and move to Ohio to take care of my Dad. The number one thing to remember is that communication is key. When I got here I found a number of people in the same situation. First you want to join your nearest Alz society community support group. This one thing will help you take a BIG bite out of the elephant that you are about to face. You will be surprised at how many people are going thru or have been thru your journey.j when I got here I got a job in a nursing home care facility and I actually have a client that's doing long-distance she lives in California and her dad lives here in Ohio and what I can tell you is that I have gleened from her experience what she does is she comes once a month for a week or maybe four days and what she did was she got a good Home health Care Agency so that her dad could live in his house instead of in a facility. He has 24-hour private care which is expensive,( ranging from 15 to $25 an hour depending on where you live) if you don't have the long term health care insurance to cover it. Your dad's doctor and his insurance company should be able to help you navigate this if you choose this route. The other route is a facility which is where my dad is about to go now. I've been here for two and a half years and he's declined dramatically and needs a higher level of care than I am able to provide. My suggestion would be to do the state-to-state shuttle once a month on the weekends and see how things go. That will help you determine what your next course of action should be. Good luck and God bless!
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posted January 15, 2020
A myALZteam Member

Hire a Care Manager for your mom. Best investment and peace of mind.

Call area office on aging for a list and recommendations.
I used to be one but live in another state.

I just hired a care manager and I’m getting great local referrals and it saves you money in the end.
My best to you
Mary

posted June 5, 2020
A myALZteam Member

@A myALZteam Member Thanks so much. I'd never even heard of such a thing, but it sounds very helpful. My best to you and your husband.

posted June 7, 2020
A myALZteam Member

Kimberly, thank you so much! This is great info.

My dad is in a Continuing Care Retirement Community. He got in two years ago by the skin of his teeth before the dementia was too bad. So, he is in IL in their facility now, and AL and MC are there when he needs them. He is locked into a payment plan and set for life because it's a CCRC buy -in arrangement. It is a relief. The downside is the distance. Right now, I am going three long weekends a year. Other family members are visiting as well so that someone is there every other month as we monitor how long IL is feasible. I know I'll need to increase my visits down the road.

I will look into a local support group for myself too, thanks. I hesitate to do so because I only have one morning a week I don't work, and I'd rather use those few hours to try to get things done for my dad like bill paying and appointment checks in than go to a meeting, but I'm sure support group help will be valuable.

Good luck to you during your transition as well.

posted January 17, 2020

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