Have any questions about how to use the community? Check out the Help Discussion.

Helping caregiver long distance

bwilliams00131
bwilliams00131 Member Posts: 1 New
in Caring Long Distance
Hi. I’m new to this group. My niece takes care of my sister who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. They live in the same home together. Please advise how I can support them, especially my niece, an only child who’s raising a teenage daughter. Thank you.

Comments

  • Niecey2loved1
    Niecey2loved1 Member Posts: 8
    First Comment
    Member

    I live long distance from my aunt with dementia. I support by sending care packages, such as maybe groceries, clothes, bedsheets, Depends. W

  • BrownB1996
    BrownB1996 Member Posts: 12
    10 Comments 5 Likes
    Member

    I'm very glad you joined this community! You could also ask your niece how to best help her. Maybe she needs help with making doctors' appointments; if you are good with money, you could help her organize finances. Also make sure that she has all the appropriate POA documents and end-of-life decisions in place; if your sister is still able to rationally vocalize what she wants for end-of-life care, include her in those discussions so that you can honor her wishes to the best of your abilities.

    If there is time for you to come and visit for a week or two, even twice a year, that would help relieve her and reduce caregiver burnout. And most importantly, get her connected with the resources here at the Association. She can benefit greatly from the information found on the main site, and she could always call the 24/7 helpline if she needs to.

    You are a great sister and aunt!

  • bwilliams0013
    bwilliams0013 Member Posts: 3
    First Comment
    Member
    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/233877#Comment_233877

    Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I’m encouraged to send packages more often.

  • bwilliams0013
    bwilliams0013 Member Posts: 3
    First Comment
    Member

    After reading your reply this morning, I texted a reminder to my niece to follow-up on a call she missed from the Alzheimer’s Association after her mom’s last PCP visit after which someone from her mom’s medical team contacted the Alzheimer’s Association on her behalf. Often feeling overwhelmed, my niece sometimes needs encouragement to follow-up on suggestions which may be helpful. Thank you for the information you provided. When we next meet in person, I’m hoping to see my niece and my sister next month, I’ll ask my niece if she has POA documents in place and if she’s having those hard end of life discussions with her mom. Your response is greatly appreciated.

  • bwilliams0013
    bwilliams0013 Member Posts: 3
    First Comment
    Member

    and yes, I’ll call and ask her how I can help.

  • BrownB1996
    BrownB1996 Member Posts: 12
    10 Comments 5 Likes
    Member

    It makes me happy to hear that someone from their PCP office called the Association on her behalf! Gives me hope that our medical teams will be more comfortable to discuss it with families in the future. It is so easy to get overwhelmed and not know where to turn, but I have faith that once she starts investigating and doing her research, it will give her the tools she will need as the disease progresses!

    I am glad that I could be helpful, hang in there bwilliams0013! 🙏

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more

Community Guidelines


Click here to review the ALZConnected Community Guidelines

Categories