Keeping your elderly parents safe and supported can be difficult when you are not able to visit every day, but there are still many things you can do. Many of us simply cannot afford to continue living at home with our parents as we progress through life and enter the workforce. More and more people are being put in the position of caring for aging parents who reside far away. They are commonly referred to as “long-distance caregivers” because their primary interest is monitoring and managing their parents’ health from a distance. Thus, some turn to reliable senior living services. Planning, preparation, and reaching out for support are essential for caregivers. You can ensure your loved one’s continued health, safety, and independence in the comfort of their retirement community homes in Lantana, FL with the correct level of care and assistance.
Lend a Virtual Helping Hand
There are many barriers that prevent the elderly from going to the hospital, including mobility issues, fear, reluctance to face a doctor, cost, and others. You can still learn about their daily lives and struggles even if you are physically apart from them by engaging in phone or video calls. It is important to urge your parents to take care of their health in general, and not only by going to the doctor or the hospital when they need to. You can encourage them to regularly update the retirement community’s caregivers should they notice any issues with their health so minor conditions can be addressed before they progress.
Stay in Touch
Even though a retirement community has friendly and compassionate caregivers caring for your aging parents, you still need to be present, albeit remotely. Ensure that you constantly stay in touch with your parents either through physical visits or virtual ones. Retirement communities come equipped with various senior living amenities including media centers where residents are able to connect to the Internet to reach out to their loved ones back at home. Show that you are still thinking of them even after they have relocated to a retirement community. Moral support provides motivation which is important for your parents’ mental health.
Keep Up-to-Date
Senior living caregivers are more than happy to keep you in the loop of community happenings as well as what goes on in your parents’ lives. Whether they are residing in independent living, assisted living, or memory care, be sure to always check on their health progress. Retirement communities practice superior communication so family members can always stay up-to-date with the residents’ retirement journey.
Join in Community Events
Take some time off of work to occasionally participate in community events. Retirement communities often organize various programs that aim to keep residents fit and active. Family members can inquire about the event dates and RSVP their interest to spend some time with their parents on site. Your parents will appreciate the effort that you make even if it means just having a simple chat with them in their apartment.
