Living far away from elderly parents can be an unsettling prospect for both the elderly and their children. In situations like this, concerns of health, finances, and independence can arise. However, there are several simple solutions that can resolve everyone’s worries. In this article, we will be sharing several helpful tips to make the challenges of living far away from elderly parents a little less daunting.
1. Communication
Loneliness is a serious problem for many older people in the UK. Adults living far away from elderly parents often worry that their loved ones may feel isolated and lonely – and they’re right to be concerned. Feelings of loneliness can have consequences for both mental and physical health. That’s why it is so important to remain in contact with elderly parents.
Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to stay in touch from a distance, thanks to texting, instant messaging, and video calls. Setting your parents up with the relevant technology is the perfect way to stay in regular contact and keep loneliness at bay. Nowadays, there are plenty of simple smartphones and tablets that are ideal for older beginners. Internet safety can also be tricky to manage as a novice. Luckily, we have already compiled a list of tips for your elderly parents to use.
Outside of the family, the internet can be a brilliant place for your parents to build their social circles. It can offer your elderly parents lots of opportunities to broaden their horizons from the comfort and safety of their own home:
- Socialising with friends – Just as with family, staying in contact with friends is imperative to healthy well-being.
- Blogs – Every day, millions of new blog posts are published on the internet, covering an enormous range of topics. Your parents are bound to find a blog or two that interests them online.
- Online shopping – If your elderly parents have mobility issues, ordering online can be an alternative to having to travel to the shops.
- Learning a new skill – The internet makes it easier than ever to learn a new skill. This is a great way to keep both mind and body active in old age.
2. Decision Making
Life is full of decisions big and small. However, as we get older, these decisions often become trickier to make and navigate. Older people face lots of important decisions, especially if their health or mobility starts to decline: when to stop working, whether to continue living at home, how to pay for any care they might need, etc.
This is why many people choose to set up a power of attorney. This is a legal document that allows someone else (called an attorney) to make decisions on their behalf. Power of attorney can be helpful for decision making over things such as paying bills, medical care, and general wellbeing. Ordinary Power of Attorney allows you to make financial decision while your loved one (called the donor) still has mental capacity. In contrast, Lasting Power of Attorney only takes effect when the donor loses mental capacity.
It’s definitely worth considering a power of attorney sooner rather than later if your elderly parent has dementia or a similar condition, especially if you live far away from your elderly parents. You can find out more in our blog about finance tips for the elderly.
3. Safety and Independence
Everyone wants to be able to stay in their own home for as long as possible. However, issues surrounding care can make this more difficult. There are many ways to help your parents maintain their independence, even if you live far away. One option could be to help them hire a cleaner to maintain hygiene and safety conditions within the home. If your parents are reluctant to accept outside help, why not suggest hiring a cleaner once a fortnight to begin with? Another idea is to arrange weekly grocery deliveries for your parents. This is a service most supermarkets offer and can be set up quickly and easily online.
Safety is another important concern. Living far away from your elderly parents can lead to worries about what should happen if they were to have a fall or become unwell. Personal alarms are a simple, affordable solution. Careline alarms can give you and your parents the peace of mind you need. If an accident were to happen, your parents can call for help with just the touch of a button. Our 24-Hour Care Team will be alerted straight away – we’ll be able to send them the help they need.
Ready to Choose Your Personal Alarm?
We offer a range of personal alarm plans to suit different lifestyles and budgets. View all our Careline alarm plans. Those living far away from elderly parents are welcome to order an alarm on their parents’ behalf. Once you have chosen the best plan for you, give us a call on 0800 030 8777 to order. Alternatively, you can order online or get in touch via our Contact Us page.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 18th January 2024 to reflect current information.
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