Artigo: Cuidar à Distância (Inglês)

NOTA: Para ler este artigo em Português podem utilizar o Tradutor: http://translate.google.pt/?hl=pt-PT&tab=wT. Atenção que pode não ser o português mais correcto. Mas já é uma ajuda! "Long Distance Caregiving

Caring for a loved one when you live in another town or state can be challenging. Here are tips that may help make your task a little easier.

Make regularly scheduled visits.

Depending on the level of independence, those visits could be occasional or frequent.
Use your visits to assess the person's needs.
If you cannot visit often, consider having someone who lives near the person take responsibility for care.
When you visit . . .

Assess the person's ability to care for him or herself. Check in about:
Meals and self care
Shopping, errands and household chores
Medications and doctor's appointments
Money management and paying bills
Driving and transportation
Social activities
Mental or emotional health
Arrange for help when needed.

Ask the person what kind of care he or she needs or will accept. Be respectful of the person's lifestyle and independence.
Ask health care providers, neighbors and friends what type of care they think the person needs too. They are closer and may see things that you won't notice during short visits.
Help the person arrange care arrange care. The person may not be able to do it alone.
Plan regular check in times.

Regular phone calls can be a good way to check in. If the person has a hearing problem (and may not hear the phone ring), plan a specific time to call so he or she will know to answer. Or arrange for special phone equipment for the hearing impaired.
When you talk, listen for an changes in the way he or she speaks or engages with you.
For some people, email or letters are also good ways to check in.
Enlist the support of local friends.

Consider asking a friend, relative or neighbor to look in on the person daily or weekly.
Find people who live near your relative (friends, neighbors or local relatives) that can be called in an emergency. Knowing that someone is nearby can help ease your concern.
Consider paying the friend or relative for his or her time.
Reprinted by permission of JOURNEYWORKS PUBLISHING, P.O. Box 8466, Santa Cruz, CA 95061"


em: http://caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=2502#longdis