Caring for an aging parent across town can be a challenge when you have a household of your own to run. A growing number of Americans, however, have a cross-country challenge: caring for parents living in another state. As caregivers in Central Florida, a retirement hot spot, we see many families struggle with the responsibility of long-distance decision making for elderly and senior parents.
The nonprofit Family Caregiver Alliance (www.caregiver.org) reports there are as many as 7 million long-distance caregivers in the U.S.
In some cases this means taking time off work to respond to a parent’s medical emergency. In others, it can involve long-term responsibility, for instance, when a court appoints an adult child as guardian of a parent who has been found to be incapable of managing personal and/or financial affairs.
Guardianship laws vary state to state.* Some states do not allow an out-of-state resident to be named guardian because of the need to pay close attention to the person for whom a guardian is responsible. Exceptions to this can be made, however, with the appointment of an in-state co-guardian. This could be a relative or family friend, or an individual or entity that serves as a professional guardian.
The National Guardianship Association, Inc. has established a code of ethics for family and professional guardians to protect the rights of someone placed under a legal guardianship. The association offers a national certification program to advance excellence and integrity in the profession. Visit www.guardianship.org for a directory of certified guardians.
Guardians, sometimes called conservators, can be appointed to manage a person’s property, finances, and personal and medical affairs, or both.
While guardianship protects the safety and property of incapacitated adults, it is commonly recommended as a last resort after less restrictive and burdensome alternatives have been explored and ruled out.
The reasons for this recommendation: Guardianships take basic decision-making freedoms from those assigned to them. They can be time-consuming, requiring guardians to maintain meticulous records and file regular reports with the court.
Whether you’re a guardian or a caregiver with a role free of court oversight, caregiving across state lines can be stressful. For those managing a loved one’s care from a distance it not only presents a challenge but, without the right resources, can lead to a high level of stress and anxiety for the guardian or caregiver.
Families that need a helping hand can call on professional geriatric care managers who create a plan of care for an aging parent. The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers maintains a registry of such professionals at www.caremanagers.org.
The American Association of Retired People (www.aarp.org) suggests the following:
- Use the Eldercare Locator (www.eldercare.gov), a service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, to identify services available near your parent (s) or loved one.
- Work with your parent (s) or loved one, before a crisis, to collect important medical, financial and legal information. Get a copy of their local phone book, too.
- Make a list of family, friends, clergy and others who could help. When visiting, introduce yourself to neighbors and friends and keep their phone numbers and addresses.
- Be watchful, when visiting your parent (s) or loved one, for signs they may need help, and involve them in the assessment of their needs.
- Sensitively explain to your parent (s) or loved one how services will help them remain independent—or find someone they respect to recommend the services.
*To learn about a particular state’s guardianship laws, visit the state bar association’s Web site or check with the probate court in your county where your loved ones reside.
At Comfort Keepers we seek to be a resource to you because we are Comfort Keepers caregivers and we are here to help! Comfort Keepers provides in-home care to seniors and the elderly living in Ocala, Gainesville, and The Villages Florida. We provide superior in-home care to seniors and the elderly throughout Central Florida so they can live enriched independent lifestyles! Call us today at 855-592-0013.
