In today's world, it is common for family members to live in different cities and states. As a result, many adult children must help their parents from afar. This task can be difficult, stressful and time consuming.

Families whose members live at a distance from one another have many difficult questions and issues to address. For example, most long-distance caregivers are not able to visit frequently and cannot provide care in the home. Yet, despite having good reasons, adult children often feel guilty that they cannot spend more time with their parents. They may also feel overwhelmed by the challenges of arranging services long distance.

One of the most difficult aspects of long-distance caring can be knowing when your help is needed and when you should make the trip in person. Clear emergencies -  fire, accident, natural disaster, a serious medical problem - obviously require a trip. Other situations can be difficult to assess over the phone.

You may feel guilty because you can' t be present to take care of your loved one's immediate needs, or you may feel overwhelmed by the complexities of organizing two separate households. In order to sustain long-distance care over a period of time, you need to be sensitive to your own needs, as well as you loved one's. There are resources to help the caregiver, too. To access many helpful resources you should contact The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society patient services manager at your local chapter from the Chapter Finder 

Is Long-Distance Caregiving for You?
At times you may not have a choice to think carefully and plan fully before entering into a long-distance caregiving situation. The complexity of long-distance caregiving can result in a great deal of stress. Not everyone's situation or emotional makeup can handle these out-of-the-ordinary pressures over a long term.

First, Ask Yourself:

• Can you or your job tolerate travel on short notice?
• Can other family members help?

Consider:

• You may be required to travel on short notice, and the distance is a factor as well: A three-hour drive can be less stressful and require less planning than even a short flight with a layover.
• If your family includes small children or pets, they must be cared for in your absence. Can you create a support system with friends and relatives to help?
  

While employers are becoming increasingly aware of the caregiving challenges facing their employees, you still must consider your workload and any obligations or deadlines. Can you count on co-workers to be accommodating? Can you take work with you when you travel?

Long-distance caregivers often face difficult financial burdens. Phone bills can run extremely high; necessary travel can eat up vacation budgets; and chances are you'll have to pay someone (or manage the financial accounts) to provide your loved one with the care and assistance that you can't be there to give.

Can you handle the emotional stress? Most caregivers experience feelings of guilt for not being as available to their loved ones as they feel they should be. The long-distance caregiver can also experience feelings of helplessness from not being physically able to provide care and comfort.

As you prepare a care plan for an aging or infirm loved one, think about the difficulties involved in long-distance caregiving. Your loved one may not want to move from his or her home, but you have to consider what's best for everyone involved, including yourself.

Long Distance Support Systems - Family, friends, neighbors, community agencies and even employers can provide valuable support as you care for your long-distance loved one

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