Long distance social support for elderly parents

One of the most important aspects of long-distance caregiving is providing social / emotional support for your elderly parents. Your support matters especially for those with dementia. And, your support matters even more during the coronavirus pandemic. Connecting with parents regularly boosts their morale at any stage of the aging process.

Because those over the age of 70 are the most vulnerable to the coronavirus they also have the strictest isolation requirements. And social distancing may lead to loneliness. Now more than ever, your parent needs contact with you and other family members!

The Loneliness Project defines loneliness as “a feeling one has when what one desires in terms of relationship/connection does not currently exist.” Thus, loneliness is the gap between a desired level of connection and an experience.

Most elderly people desire deeper connections with family members. And, while there are many dimensions to social and emotional support, few matter to our parents as much as their family connections.

No matter how you look at it caring for elderly parents means making sure they are safe, happy and taken care of. If their well-being is ensured then we have peace of mind.

Aging in Place (https://www.aginginplace.org/a-guide-to-caring-for-elderly-parents/)

Tips for social / emotional support

• Connecting with your parent can be as simple as a phone conversation, a video chat, or sending cards and letters.
• Talk about current affairs and reassure your parent by helping them understand why they are more isolated.
• Be available to reduce anxiety as needed, picking up the phone to listen and encourage them.
• Help your parents feel loved and honored by listening to their stories.
• And, remember to record stories and memories so that you can refer to them later. You may think you’ve heard a story so many times you can’t forget it but having it written down or recorded will be a precious memory later.

Connecting virtually has become the new normal. To help you provide social / emotional support to your elderly parents, we will be sharing suggestions for connecting virtually.

Check out this recent post: Five low-tech ways to connect virtually with your senior parents.