If you are a long distance caregiver, you probably already know about the many frustrations that accompany the job of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) from a remote location.
The good news is that there are many technical tools that can help you stay in touch with your loved one and address some of the challenges involved in long distance caregiving.
Here is a list of technology available that could make your life as a long distance caregiver a little less complicated;
Google Calendar
This is a FREE calendar that can be shared between friends and family members involved in caregiver. It’s a great place to enter doctor appointments, and other important dates and events. You can enter single or repeating event dates, share the calendar, invite guests and even send out and respond to invitations and reminders. Other features of Google calendar include; working with task lists, assigning tasks, accessing the calendar from a mobile phone and more.
Create a Facebook Page
Consider creating a shared Facebook page for all caregivers and family members involved in care. Information such as important updates, appointments and events can be posted on the Facebook page for all caregivers (including long distance loved ones) to share. Photos can be posted along with updates regarding your loved one’s progress and new information from physician appointments. There is even a feature on Facebook called “Facebook Places” where caregivers can log the time and places your loved one goes-such as doctor appointments, adult day centers and more. A picture tells the best story, and long distance caregivers will be thrilled to be able to log into a Facebook page each day to see photos and videos of their loved one’s daily routine.
Live Video Chat
There are several free platforms (such as SKYPE and Google Chat)that enable you to go online to speak with your loved one via a live face to face live conversation. It doesn’t get much more up close and personal than this. Having a weekly video chat with your loved one will really cue you in on how he/she is doing on an ongoing basis. Find out first-hand how well he/she is performing when it comes to memory and self-care, while at the same time providing a great opportunity for regular social interaction for your loved one.
You can easily find online tutorials for any of the technology mentioned in this article by simply doing a Google or YouTube search. Put your mind at ease today and employ some of the latest online technology to get in touch and stay connected with your loved one with AD.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Alzheimer’s treatment and prevention at AlzU.org.
