February 22, 2021

Millions of people in the Sandwich Generation are long-distance caregivers, meaning that they are responsible for providing care to an elderly loved one while living miles away — often, in a completely different state!

In fact, research suggests that some long-distance caregivers live as far as 450 miles away from their loved one. That’s about 7 hours of travel time, one-way! Despite the distance, these caregivers take on important daily responsibilities like managing money, providing emotional and physical support, and coordinating doctor’s appointments and travel. 

That’s a lot to take on, especially when you live far away from your senior loved one. In-home care is a great fit for long-distance caregivers. With this style of long-term care, you can be assured that your loved one is getting personalized support and attention in the comfort of their own home, for as much or as little time as they need. Click here to learn more about the benefits of in-home care here for Chicago’s seniors!

How Long-Distance Caregivers Can Find Local Services

Getting started with home care can take a little bit of lead time, especially for distanced caregivers. 

Here are five steps you can take to find care for your Chicago-based loved one, while living in a different state: 

1.) Talk to Local Friends and Family

One of the advantages of aging in place is that it helps older adults remain close to the community that they know and love. Don’t be afraid to leverage this community as you search for in-home senior care options. 

Millions of aging adults require care. You may have family friends in a similar situation to you, with individual caregivers or agencies that have helped them out. Ask your Chicago-based friends and neighbors who they would recommend, or if they have any local connections. This can be a great way to get a better sense of the types of care out there, and give you some names to look into. 

Curious about who you might ask? Check out these resources: 

2.) Reach Out to Local Resources

You don’t have to stop at your loved one’s neighbors! Be sure to engage the other people in their network who may be able to help, including their healthcare providers, local senior centers, or their place of worship. If your loved one is experiencing specific health challenges, you may wish to contact an organization specializing in this area, such as their local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation or Alzheimer’s Association. Many of these organizations and individuals have contacts and connections with local senior care providers.

For more ideas, visit: 

3.) Research Online

Search engines, social media networks, and review and listing sites can all be great tools for identifying local professionals who may be able to help your loved one get the personalized support they need. 

Often, you can learn about a prospective senior care resource through their online presence. Do they have a lot of positive reviews? Do they give away lots of useful information on their blog or through social media? Are they easy to find on Google searches? Is their contact information clear and accessible? Are they responsive, and happy to share more information when asked? 

Check out our other tips for maximizing your online searches: 

4.) Make the Most of Your Zooms, Phone Calls, and Emails

Time is limited — especially for busy Sandwich Generation caregivers! Before you connect with care providers remotely by phone, email, or video call, take some time to prepare a list of questions. Think about the questions that you need to have answered in order to move forward comfortably. Don’t be afraid to get specific about your loved one’s unique needs or challenges. Be ready to talk about scheduling. 

Here are some of our other resources that may help: 

5.) Take Some Time to Help Your Loved One Prepare

Getting started with home care usually comes with an adjustment period. You can help make this transition easier by spending some time with your loved one, helping them get their home ready and talking over their concerns or what they’re looking forward to. To make things easier on the senior, it may fall to you to handle most of the logistics, such as scheduling care and managing payments. 

We have plenty of resources to help you navigate this period with peace of mind: 

Ready to Begin Your Search for Chicagoland Senior Care? Get In Touch With Companions for Seniors

At Companions for Seniors, our mission is to help seniors live independently and with dignity in the comfort of their own homes by empowering them to lead an active and enriched lifestyle, connecting them with their community, and nurturing meaningful relationships.

We are locally owned in Chicago, with clients in both the city and suburbs. All of our companions are trained and bonded, and we offer personalized care plans to ensure that every client’s specific needs are met. Companions are available on a full- and part-time basis, and can offer assistance with activities of daily living, housekeeping, driving services, and much more.

Have any more questions about finding the right fit for your senior loved one’s care needs? Looking for an experienced guide to help you find the solutions that will work for you and yours? 

At Companions for Seniors, caring for the elderly of Chicagoland is our true passion. We’re always here to lend a hand and field any questions you may have, and we’d love to keep the conversation going! Don’t hesitate to reach out online, or give us a call at 866-910-9020 to learn more today!