Challenges Associated with Providing Long Distance Senior Care

 By Jim Smeaton
Many families band together to care for their seniors.  This allows their loved ones to age in place without having to compromise their safety.  But what if you cannot provide the hands-on care that you feel your loved one deserves?  Is it possible to provide long distance elder care?


These are common questions that children, grandchildren, friends, and loved ones of seniors ask every day.  Providing elder care is an important part of keeping seniors who live independently safe and secure in their homes.  For many families, though, geographic distance challenges their ability to provide comprehensive home care.


What Families Can Do from Afar

While there are many challenges associated with providing long distance senior care, families that live far away from their loved ones can manage many important details.  From scheduling doctor's appointments to providing financial management, family members can make everyday life easier for their seniors no matter where their geographic location.


Major Challenges

Families that live too far from their seniors to provide in-person home care face many obstacles.  First and foremost, they have to determine whether or not their loved ones need a caregiver to be physically present on a daily basis.  Additionally, these families may worry about the daily cleaning, medical administration, and transportation needs of their loved ones.


Overcoming these Challenges

The first step in overcoming the challenges that long distance senior care presents is to take stock of them.

· Does your senior need a home care provider to be present each day?  If no, then long distance care may continue to be enough.  If yes, what level of care do they need?

· If your senior needs home care services, what is the nature of the care and services that they require?  Do they need skilled medical services, or just assistance with personal care and daily activities?

·  How will your family work together to determine who is best qualified to provide the necessary care?  Will someone move closer to your loved one or will you hire a home care professional?

These questions should help you and your family overcome the obstacles that long distance senior care can cause.


Always Best Care combines national strength and standards with local accessibility and personal service. The owner of Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville is Jim Smeaton. Jim and his team assist seniors and their families in western North Carolina by providing non-medical in-home care and FREE assisted living placement services. We have strong relationships with area hospitals, social workers, senior communities and senior resources throughout the area.  We have your loved ones’ best interests at heart, and will ensure that exceptional service and care is provided to all family members.

For more information or to schedule a FREE consultation, call us at 828-333-9904 or visit us online.