Liz from Alzheimer’s Notes has put together a really nice list of resources for caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s from a distance. It can be done, but it is hard.
I have a friend who moved to the midwest and didn’t want to disturb her mom, who was settled into a nursing home on the east coast and seemed to really be doing well. It was hard for her to take care of her mom at such a distance and the rest of the family, who still lived near the nursing home, didn’t step in and help out. She flew out to check on her mom whenever there was a problem. Ultimately, I think she wished she would have moved her mom out to be nearer to her, especially when she slipped out of her room and fell down a half flight of stairs.
Does anyone have some tips to share on caring for a parent from a distance?
Posted by
The thing I really love about the internet is that it offers people in difficult situations (such as l ong distance caring for someone with alzheimer’s disease) information about how to find resources and help. This way, at least, you don’t feel as helpless as you would if you were far away with no information on resources available.
Thanks for mentioning the post on Alzheimer’s Notes - hope it’s of help to people.
Cheers, liz
Comment by Liz - April 14, 2007 5:37 pm
Thanks from me, too, for your mentioning Liz’s post at Alzheimer’s Notes. (Liz and I co-author the blog.) You asked for some tips for long distance caregiving. I wrote a post, “Personal Insight on Long Distance Caregiving for Alzheimer’s”, in conjunction with Liz’s to add some personal experience.
I can relate to your friend who had to move and debated whether to move her mom or leave her in the nursing home she was familiar with. I’ve cared for relatives in both situations.
When my mom could no longer stay alone, I moved her from her home to mine, 275 miles away, because I knew other family members couldn’t care for her. It confused Mother for awhile. But worked out for the best, because my family could visit her frequently and I could monitor her care when she finally moved to a nursing home.
I did leave my aunt in the nursing home because moving her would have involved changing her financial aid and perhaps losing it. Also, she no longer knew us when we visited, and the nursing home staff was familiar with the extensive care she needed.
Comment by Mary Emma Allen - April 29, 2007 5:03 pm
[…]                      Liz and I’ve written previously about long distance caregiving, and Katelyn at Life Without Memories, mentioned Liz’s post. She told about a friend who had to move and leave her mother behind in a nursing home, then asked for some tips for long distance caregiving. […]
Pingback by Alzheimer’s Notes » More About Long Distance Caregiving - April 29, 2007 7:00 pm