How can you show caring and love for a frail, elderly parent when you are a grea

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   techygranposted 12 years ago

   How can you show caring and love for a frail, elderly parent when you are a great distance apart?
   
   How can you show caring and love for a frail, elderly parent when you are separated by a great distance?  What can you do or say that assures the older parent that even though you are not nearby that you love them dearly, care about their welfare, and enjoy 'being' with them (i.e., on the phone)?

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2. 60

   ukdementiaposted 12 years ago

   Use technology to its maximum potential by using FaceTime. They can see you and you can see them. It's available through almost all apple devices such as iPhone and mac books or with Skype. It really helps an elderly person with communication if they can see your face, especially if they have dementia or similar disease.

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      techygranposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      thanks ukdementia-- unfortunately my Dad is extremely low tech and has no devices, or finds it hard to see them (as in when someone shows him something on an LED screen).  I have considered getting him an iPad...

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3. 59

   WookieWonderfulsposted 12 years ago

   It may sound a little old fashioned, especially in light of  ukdementias answer (which is great to) but perhaps use letters as one method. Actually sit and write a letter. Things said over the phone/skype or other technology can so easy be forgotten as you get older, written by pen to paper it can't be forgotten.
   
   I agree using programs like Skype and other video calling options are great but I'm not familiar with many older people who are that clued up on tech or have an interest for it.

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      techygranposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      thank you WookieWonderfuls! I agree that letters are more personal and the fact is that my Dad doesn't have any techy devices--

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   Seeker7posted 12 years ago

   I looked after elderly people for many years and across the board the one thing that they absolutely loved getting from family members who were far away was letters and photographs. I'm in Scotland and one of my elderly clients had one son in Australia with his family. So obviously they didn't see each other all that often. But what my elderly client so looked forward to was getting letters from her son and daughter-in-law just saying everything that has been happening and then photos to  keep an on-going record of the progress of the kids. What my clients also loved was letters from the grand kids, but also little gifts they had made such as a painting, card etc. In this way the elderly person knew they were not forgotten, but more importanly that they were still missed and loved. Phone calls are fine, but all too soon they are over. With the letters, cards, drawings and paintings, these were things that they could keep and cherish. It is difficult being so far from and elderly parent so I hope some of this helps a little bit.

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      techygranposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      thank you for this simple elegant response... I have been sending my Dad photos and he loves them.  He generally takes them over to my brother's restaurant where he can share with them-- it gives him an excuse to go there without feeling intrusive.

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   Ummijjposted 11 years ago

   When I lived in AZ I routinely made a point to call my elderly mother weekly, which really uplifted her, and I made sure to send her gift' s on special occasions, cards ( handmade one's from my children, as well as hallmark cards.
   
   My siblings informed me that these small acts from her ( Mom's),
   perspective compensated for my and my children's physical absence. This was however, before today's technology, which indeed provides even more options for keeping in touch. I also sent lots of photos of us as well.

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