According to Medical News Today, Alzheimer’s disease is, “a neurological disorder in which the death of brain cell causes memory loss and cognitive decline. It is a neurodegenerative type of dementia, the disease starts mild then gets progressively worse.” This disease is a sad but true issue that millions of families in the United States and all over the world have to deal with. As children grow older, they often move away for school, jobs or even new opportunities that may arise, while the parents stay home. With the parents growing older, various illnesses may arise, and sometimes it is Alzheimer’s disease. You may live in San Francisco, while your mother with Alzheimer’s lives in New York City. The following are tips for long distance Alzheimer’s disease caregiving.
• Get organized.
• Identify their local network, and ask them to help.
• Investigate travel arrangements in case of emergency.
• Discuss legal and financial issues which can include: will, power of attorney, trust, Medigap insurance etc.
• Take care of any and all necessary paperwork.
• Develop a plan of care.
• Adjust that plan of care when necessary.
• Make sure loved ones nearby are familiar with this care plan so that they can implement it when with the Alzheimer’s patient.
• Explore relocation issues.
• Take care of yourself.
Resources:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159442.php
http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/long-distance-caregiving?page=2
