About Me

My photo
Delray Beach, FL, Westport, MA, United States
Undergraduate degree, Colby College; MA in English, Columbia Teacher's College; former high school English teacher in three states; former owner of interior design co. with MA from R.I. School of Design. Barking Cat Books published my first book in 2009 titled, MINOR LEAGUE MOM: A MOTHER'S JOURNEY THROUGH THE RED SOX FARM TEAMS. My humorous manuscript titled ELDERLY PARENTS WITH ALL THEIR MARBLES: A SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR THE KIDS was published in June, 2014. In 2015 A SURVIVAL GUIDE won a gold medal in the self-help category at the Florida Authors & Publishers Association conference. In 2018 Barking Cat Books published my SURVIVING YOUR DREAM VACATION: 75 RULES TO KEEP YOUR COMPANION TALKING TO YOU ON THE ROAD. See website By CLICKING HERE.

Saturday, April 18, 2020

Another Worry During the Corona Virus: Caregiving from Afar

"It's okay if the greatest thing we do this year is get through it."  (Quote meme, April, 2020)


Below is a timely guest post from Claire Wentz's website, www.caringfromafar.com, reprinted with permission.

Online Services and Tech to Save Long-Distance Caregivers Time, Money, and Stress

Care from afar is something many of us never thought we would have to 
    do. But, given the current situation, it may not be safe to physically interact with our sick or aging loved ones. Thankfully, there are some ways you can use the latest tech to make your life easier and your loved one’s life more comfortable, all while practicing social distancing protocols.

Save on Online Orders

Long-distance caregivers should check out this Amazon shopping guide from Rakuten for advice on saving with online orders from sites like Amazon. From utilizing Amazon’s Bargain Bin finds to saving with Amazon Outlet to accessing the latest Amazon promo codes, there are endless ways to trim costs when you ship new tech or household essentials to your senior loved one’s home. Plus, you can combine those savvy saving moves with cashback offers from Rakuten for even more savings.

Have Household Essentials and Groceries Delivered

4 Generations in Pam's family, 2005

Another way you can keep your loved one healthy and happy from afar is by using online grocery delivery services from stores like Costco. Costco currently offers delivery to many major metropolitan areas, and you can have everything from paper towels to socks to fresh foods delivered to your senior’s home. Costco even offers same-day delivery for orders of $35 or more, which can come in handy when your loved one needs groceries for meals ASAP.

Research and Compare Online Meal Delivery Services

In addition to grocery delivery services for senior loved ones, you can also check into meal delivery options. Many meal delivery services offer special menus for older adults, but at the very least, they can deliver healthy options so your senior loved one doesn’t have to leave their home. You can use introductory offers to save money on subscriptions but compare services to find one that fits your budget.

Invest in Technology to Enhance Overall Health

Amazon’s Echo device can prevent isolation, but there are other tech tools you can use to protect and provide comfort for your loved one. Fitness trackers can detect falls and encourage your loved one to stay active, while monitoring systems can provide caregivers with peace of mind. You can even use the Amazon shopping tips above to score these tech tools for less.

Being a long-distance caregiver can be stressful for you and your family’s budget. With the tech tools and online services above, you can reduce some of that stress and ensure your loved one feels safe and protected.

By Claire Wentz, Creator of Caringfromafar.com