FROM THE EDITOR'S PEN
/ Loving Investigations /
Editorial List
(Page 1 of 2)
During these next few weeks, many of us will be
traveling to visit family members for whom we care
from a distance. In a very short amount of
time, we will need to make an informal assessment of
our loved one's physical and mental health, as well
as their living situation.
Are they taking their medications? Are
there unopened bills in the foyer? Is there
old food (or no food) in the refrigerator? Are
there hazards around the house that could lead to a
fall? Many times, we will not get a positive
response to our loving investigations simply because
these family members do not want to see their
situation change. They have lived in their home for
many decades and do not want to take the next
possible step toward assisted living care. In
many of these cases, you actually do not have any
legal rights to do more than make suggestions about
their safety and care.
My friend Gracie went one step further as a
long-distance caregiver and enlisted her parents’
trusted neighbors into her care team. She had
moved across the country many years ago and had
become a long-distance caregiver to her dad, who has
developed a list of healthcare issues which make it
difficult for Gracie’s mom to easily care for him.
Of course, Gracie’s parents are stubbornly
independent and would do no more than allow for
suggestions, which they would heed or not. They
would not allow any discussions about care
management or in-home help from Gracie.
