Long Distance Caregiving
Saturday, January 31st, 2009Mom called last night to say she has to have shoulder surgery this coming Thursday. Could I be there?
“Of course. No problem, Mom. I love you.”
So I emailed the two docs I work with and the office staff to say I’d need two days off from work. Then I emailed the Education Coordinator and asked her to reschedule the Interns who were slated to spend three hours with me. Then I emailed my Nurse Practitioner student and told her I’d try to find someone else to take her that day so she wouldn’t lose 9 of the 145 clinical hours she needs this semester. Then I emailed the Director of the VCU Adult Day Center and told her I’d need to reschedule the storytelling I’d promised. And I’ll need to let the nurses at Beth Sholom Nursing Home know I won’t be available to see patients those two days. I haven’t decided yet whether to reschedule the next day’s dementia talk in Newport News.
“No problem, Mom. I love you.”
And truly, I do love her, and so far, in terms of long-distance caregiving, I have it easy. Mom lives independently. She still works and drives and does her own laundry and grocery shopping. She takes care of her house and bills and she eats well. And she attended the Orthopedic appointment alone.
And, Mom only lives an hour north of my home.
But the occasional episodes when I become Caregiver give me pause to think about those of you doing it from farther away and with much more fragile aging parents or family members. As a Nurse Practitioner specializing in long term care, I’ve spoken to many of you on the phone and when you’ve driven or flown hours to check on your moms and dads and friends.
And I just want to say I’m in it with you and for you—contact me if I can give you an answer, a prayer, or just a little encouragement.
Coleen