Helping Your Relatives Attend Health Care Appointments from Far Away

Caring for elderly or ill relatives can be challenging, especially when you live far away. Ensuring that they attend their healthcare appointments and receive proper care is essential, but distance can make it difficult to coordinate visits or provide direct support. Fortunately, with some thoughtful planning and modern technology, you can help your relatives stay on top of their health even if you're not physically present. Take note of the following ways to help your relatives attend healthcare appointments from far away.

1. Stay Organised with a Health Care Schedule

One of the most effective ways to ensure your relative stays on top of their healthcare appointments is by helping them maintain an organised schedule. You can assist in creating a calendar that tracks all upcoming appointments, tests, medication refills, and follow-ups. This could be a shared digital calendar so you can both easily keep track of appointments and any changes. This allows you to input upcoming visits, set reminders, and stay informed about your relative's healthcare routine. You can also add notes for things they need to remember, like bringing specific documents or medications to appointments.

If other family members or caregivers are closer to your relative, make sure everyone is on the same page regarding the schedule – even adding them to the calendar if it would help. Coordination can ensure someone is available to accompany them to important appointments if needed.

Even with the calendar, you should set up automatic reminders for appointments, either via text, phone calls, or calendar alerts. This ensures they don't miss important healthcare visits, even if you're not there to remind them directly.

2. Arrange Transportation for Physical Appointments

If your relative has difficulty arranging transportation to attend their appointments, you can step in to coordinate transportation services. Whether they have mobility issues or are unable to drive themselves, there are several options available to ensure they can get to their healthcare provider.

• Use Local Transportation Services: Many cities and towns offer senior transportation services or non-emergency medical transport (NEMT) options that provide rides to healthcare facilities. Research local services and book a ride in advance for your relative to ensure they get to their appointment on time.
• Arrange Rideshares or Taxis: If your relative is comfortable using a rideshare service like Uber or Bolt, you can book a ride for them remotely. Many of these services offer user-friendly apps, and you can even arrange for special accommodations, such as requesting a vehicle that is wheelchair accessible.
• Coordinate with a Friend or Neighbour: If your relative has a trusted friend or neighbour nearby, reach out to see if they would be willing to accompany your relative to their appointments. Having someone nearby who can help in a pinch can relieve a lot of stress for both you and your loved one.

3. Help Book Online Appointments

When distance, mobility issues, or illness prevent your relative from attending healthcare appointments in person, booking an online or telehealth appointment is an excellent alternative. Many healthcare providers now offer virtual consultations, making it easier for patients to receive care from the comfort of their homes.

If your relative is unfamiliar with technology or finds it difficult to navigate online platforms, you can assist them as they book online GP appointments. Make sure they have access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a reliable internet connection.

Before the appointment, walk your relative through what to expect during the telehealth consultation. Explain how the video call works, what information the doctor might ask for, and how to prepare their questions or concerns in advance. Ensure they have a quiet, well-lit area for the appointment. Some telehealth platforms allow multiple participants to join the appointment. If your relative feels nervous or confused, ask the healthcare provider if you can be part of the call. This way, you can help take notes, ask questions, and ensure your relative understands the doctor's advice.

4. Maintain Open Communication with Healthcare Providers

As a long-distance caregiver, it's essential to maintain open lines of communication with your relative's healthcare providers. This ensures you stay informed about their health status and can assist in making important medical decisions. Ask your relative if they would be comfortable granting you permission to communicate directly with their healthcare providers.

If they allow this, a quick phone call or email can help ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding your relative's care plan.