| Meeting the challenge of being a long-distance | | | | incur long distance charges.) |
| caregiver is not for wimps! Those who do get | | | | - Remember them with an occasional Thank You |
| involved use creative ways to do what they can | | | | card or small token of appreciation to help build on |
| in their own unique circumstances. Some secrets | | | | the relationship. |
| of successful long-distance caregivers involve prior | | | | Prepare before a crisis, if possible. Gather names, |
| planning. They are looking to the future to ensure | | | | phone numbers, and local resource agencies for: |
| smooth transitions as the situation evolves. | | | | - Home health care resources |
| Hopefully they will never need to use some of | | | | - Doctor and nurses your loved one utilizes |
| this information. Prior planning also decreases | | | | - Clinic and hospital your loved one uses |
| caregiver stress. | | | | - Clinic and hospital addresses |
| Considerations of successful long-distance | | | | - Street map and driving directions to the clinic |
| caregivers include: | | | | and hospital |
| Are there other family members to assist or | | | | - Hospice care (in case this is later needed) |
| coordinate with? If so, are they physically closer | | | | - Social workers |
| than you are? | | | | - Clergy of your loved one, if applicable |
| When visiting your loved one during the early | | | | Determine transportation availability for individuals |
| stages of their illness do some preliminary | | | | with medical problems. |
| fact-finding: | | | | - Check out fees and schedules |
| Meet a couple of your loved one's best neighbors | | | | - Obtain phone numbers and names of agencies |
| and friends. | | | | - Keep a copy for yourself. Post this information |
| - Obtain their contact information. | | | | on your loved one's refrigerator. |
| - Ask if you can keep in touch with them in case | | | | Check if home deliveries are available for various |
| of emergency. | | | | services in your loved one's area. Record agency |
| - Give them your contact information for home | | | | names and phone numbers for delivery of: |
| and work. | | | | - Groceries |
| - Give them an occasional call before you really | | | | - Medications |
| need their help. | | | | - Prepared meals |
| - This helps build a relationship with them, so that | | | | - Laundry |
| talking is easier when stressful situations may | | | | Long distance Cancer Caregivers face different |
| arise later. | | | | challenges than local caregivers. It is important to |
| - Encourage them to feel free to call you at any | | | | put considerable thought into the situation early in |
| time with concerns about your loved one. You | | | | the illness. Having a plan in place before times of |
| may find out things in this way that you would | | | | crisis can reduce the stress for caregivers and |
| never learn of any other way. (You could even | | | | their loved one. |
| provide them with a phone card so they don't | | | | |