5 Things You Can Do as a Long-Distance Dementia Caregiver

Long-distance caregivers often want to know how they can meaningfully contribute to their partner's dementia care journey, even when they are miles away. Here are five actionable steps you can take to stay involved, make a positive impact, and offer much-needed support as a long-distance caregiver.

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1. Stay Connected with the Local Care Team

Building a strong relationship with the primary caregiver (if someone else is filling that role) and local care team is crucial. Whether it’s a spouse, another family member, or a professional caregiver, maintain regular communication to stay informed about your partner’s health, needs, and care routine. It is important that all members of the care team are on the same page, up-to-date, and in the loop. If you have the proper authorizations (i.e., HIPAA authorization and medical POA), this also includes maintaining regular communication with healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care and informed decision-making.

What You Can Do:

• Schedule regular check-ins with the primary caregiver to discuss updates, challenges, and any specific ways you can help.
• Create a shared document, calendar, or utilize a care coordination app such as CareMobi to track appointments, medication schedules, or upcoming needs.

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2. Help Manage Finances and Logistics

One way to significantly lighten the load from a distance is by managing financial and logistical tasks. Handling these responsibilities can help free up the local caregiver’s time—if there is one—or assist your partner with dementia, especially if they are not as tech-savvy, in coordinating services. Just be sure to do this in collaboration with your partner to lessen the chances of creating resistance or resentment.

What You Can Do:

• Setup online bill pay and manage finances through online banking systems.
• Coordinate transportation for appointments by enlisting family members or friends, using rideshare services such as Uber, Lyft, or GoGoGrandparent, or non-emergency medical transport.
• Research and organize additional support services, such as housekeeping services, meal delivery services, adult day programs, companion services, respite care, home health, or home safety modifications.

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3. Provide Emotional Support

Both caregivers and people living with dementia can feel isolated or overwhelmed, making emotional support essential. Even from a distance, your support can provide comfort and connection.

What You Can Do:

• Call regularly to check in with both your partner and their local caregivers. Sometimes, just listening can make a world of difference.
• Write letters, record video messages, or send care packages to brighten the day of both your partner and their local caregivers.
• Offer words of encouragement and recognition to local caregivers for the hard work being done.

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4. Educate Yourself on Dementia Care

As a long-distance caregiver, understanding dementia, its progression, and potential challenges will help you provide informed support and make better decisions. By building your knowledge, you can feel more confident in navigating challenges and offering valuable insights to your partner’s care team.

What You Can Do:

• Explore books like With Intent: A Practical Guide to Navigating Behaviors Along the Dementia Care Journey, which provides practical strategies for managing dementia-related behaviors.
• Attend webinars to learn from experts in the field of dementia care or related subjects—Bambu Care regularly hosts webinar sessions and provides access to previous webinars through the Treehouse.
• Tune into the What the Dementia podcast, a podcast that addresses real-life challenges caregivers face, helping them navigate the dementia journey with confidence and compassion.
• Join Bambu Care Champions, a free support community where dementia caregivers can connect, share experiences, and receive encouragement from others who truly understand.
• Access the Treehouse, an all-in-one dementia care library filled with helpful guides, videos, podcasts, courses, and tools designed to support caregivers at every stage of their journey.
• Invest in Hidden in Plain Sight: The Ultimate Resource Guide for Dementia Caregivers to discover services, tools, and organizations that can support your caregiving efforts.

All of these resources are tailored to help dementia caregivers like you stay informed, reduce stress, and make the caregiving journey a bit easier. Sharing what you’ve learned from these tools with the local care team can also improve your partner’s quality of life and lighten their load.

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5. Plan Meaningful Visits

When you’re able to visit, make it count. Thoughtful planning can help you create meaningful moments with your partner and potentially offer respite to the local caregiver.

What You Can Do:

• Spend quality time with your partner, focusing on activities they enjoy or are still able to do. This could include looking through photo albums, listening to music, cooking together, or sharing a favorite meal.
• Use your visit as an opportunity to give the local caregiver a break, even if just for a few hours.
• Assess the living environment for potential safety improvements or changes needed as your partner’s condition progresses.

A Word of Caution:

If you’re staying for a few days, prioritize connection and quality time with your partner before shifting your focus to addressing any issues or making changes. Starting with meaningful interactions sets a positive tone and can make any necessary adjustments easier to navigate. By approaching the situation with understanding and care, you help preserve trust and strengthen relationships with both your partner and their local care team.

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Being a long-distance dementia caregiver isn’t easy, but your efforts can make a real difference. Whether it’s staying connected with the local care team, managing logistics, or providing emotional support, there are many ways to contribute meaningfully from afar. Remember, your role—no matter how small it may seem—is valuable and appreciated.

Caregiving is a journey, and you don’t have to walk it alone. Stay connected, seek support, and know that your care and love are deeply impactful, even from miles away. If you ever need any assistance along your dementia care journey, Bambu Care is always here.

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