In today’s mobile society, the elderly are often separated geographically from family members, and not being present for important doctor appointments and decision-making meetings can be just as difficult for the absent family members as it is for their loved ones. However, there are online and mobile resources available to help those in long-distance caregiving situations - resources designed to provide families and health care professionals with current, accurate information and support.

Online Health Database
When a loved one has a medical appointment, is there one family member who’s always in a frenzy, trying to compile the necessary paperwork and notes on daily meals, activities and medications? You may want to consider taking charge of your loved one’s health records, storing them in an accessible, online database where members of a family or caregiving team can share the information.

The Me & My Caregivers Personal Health Organizer and Communications Hub is one such online service, providing instant access to medical records, health history and daily logs. Secure and HIPAA-compliant, the service allows the patient to invite up to 20 others to be part of his health care team.

The site also can be used by young, healthy people to store their own personal health records. Subscribers can record daily entries on weight, exercise, calorie intake, medications and health history, then print the logs before doctor appointments.

Visit Me & My Caregivers for more information on monthly or yearly subscriptions or how to obtain group rates. U.S. Veterans subscribe for free. Included with a subscription are free caregiving and advance-directive forms, printable checklists, and a complimentary emergency wallet card, for quick access to a patient’s history, medications and directives.

Mobile Health Information
As any caregiver can tell you, caring for an elderly loved one, whether from nearby or afar, can take its toll physically, emotionally and financially. Just as smart phones are used to help manage the rest of life’s responsibilities, there also are mobile applications designed to help with caregiving.

One such application is Caregiver’s Touch, which aims to help manage care via mobile organizational tools. Users can enter, update and securely store information online, such as insurance records, medication regimens, account numbers and doctor appointments. Data can be synchronized to an iPhone for on-the-go access, or shared online with family members via a Web subscription. Caregiver’s Touch can also be used to help organize family calendars or care for a child with special needs.

Users can choose from a Web subscription, iPhone application or both. Visit Caregiver’s Touch to try a demo and find out how to get a free 60-day trial.

Making Computers Simple and Easy to Use for Seniors
Another useful tool for long distance caregiving is a simple piece of software that installs over a computers operating system making it super simple for the elderly to send and receive mail, pictures, play games and go on the internet. There are literally only 5 buttons to click on. Learn more and try it for free.

Your Attitude as a Tool
The success of your long-distance caregiving situation starts with you. Remember, you will not be able to do everything for your loved one, and trying to do everything when it’s not realistic will only make you miserable. But you can (and should) ask for help, whether it’s from family members, friends or local organizations. Set healthy boundaries for yourself, and communicate your expectations and limitations to the rest of your family.

Lynn Wilson founded The CareGiver Partnership based on her experience in caring for loved ones as well as providing the highest level of customer service. She takes pride in offering personalized service that helps her customers find solutions. Now that her children are grown, Lynn enjoys spending time with her granddaughter while also helping to care for her mom. To find out how The CareGiver Partnership can serve you, call 1-800-985-1353 M-F 9-4 CDT.