How Do You Take Care of Mom – Long Distance

You live in a different city or state than mom. You try your best to see her, take the long trips, as much as you can. You call every day. However, no matter what you do, you feel the guilt, for not being there for her.

Many years ago, families lived close to each other, in the same city, or even in the same street. But today, it is very different. Consequently, the role, for many children, is long distance caregiving.

The 2010 Alzheimer's Association Facts and Figures states that nine percent of the 10.9 million family and other unpaid caregivers, live more than two hours away from the person they take care of, another six percent live one to two hours away. Therefore, approximately, 981,000 to 1.6 million caregivers are long distance caregivers.

Caregiver’s provide 12.5 billion hours of care, an average 21.9 hours of care per caregiver per week, or 1,139 hours of care per caregiver per year.

The cost to American businesses is high, due to lost productivity, missed work, replacement expenses, reduced hours, and time off by their employees. The cost is estimated, in 2002, to be $36.5 billion dollars.

If you are long distance caregiver, what emotional costs and expenses do you loose?

The economic impact is staggering. But, the impact of emotional stress, of more than forty per cent, of family and unpaid caregivers, rate the emotional stress as high or very high. This figure, just includes caregiving, without long distance caregiving. Also, one third of all family caregivers have symptoms of depression.

Senior Life Care Planning has an elder care attorney and care managers who assist caregivers, friends or family members find government-paid, Medicaid, Veteran’s Benefits, etc. and private resources to help with long term care decisions.

We also help with the following:

• Advocate for Mom.
• Monitor care for Mom for out-of-town families.
• Assist families in Mom’s long term care planning
• Medicaid qualification and application for Mom.
• Oversee care at home.
• Coordinate with financial advisors and other professionals.
• Provide placement in assisted living facilities or nursing homes.
• Monitor the care received in a nursing home or in assisted living.
• Find appropriate solutions to avoid a crisis.
• Other services.

Visit our website at www.seniorlcp.com. 

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