Easing the Strain of Long-Distance Caregiving
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- January 30, 2026
For millions of working Americans, caregiving is a struggle. This is especially true for the “sandwich generation”, those with children they are still raising and also with parents whom they wish to care for. It gets even tougher when you live some distance away from your loved ones, and it’s estimated that some 6-7 million Americans are in that position, living at least 100 miles away from someone they’re the principal caregiver for. This kind of stress takes its toll – in a task that is already known for high burnout rates, even among professional caregivers.
According to the 2025 Caregiving in the U.S. report, roughly 63 million Americans are family caregivers, meaning about one in four adults is helping a loved one with health or functional needs. There’s a nationwide shortage of professional caregiving staff, even if a family could afford it. And a 2024 analysis by AARP and S&P Global found that nearly 70 percent of family caregivers struggle to balance their job with caregiving duties, with many reducing hours, turning down promotions, or leaving employment altogether to manage care.
The old America of family generations separated by careers and state lines is giving way to a new America of generations coming back together, often to live in the same home as a multi-generational lifestyle. This is more common in the rest of the world than it has been here, but anecdotal reports from the field suggest that Americans are happy to rediscover this way of life. But still, for millions, the struggle continues of trying to take care of Mom or Dad while living at a distance – and those who live far away tend to report higher levels of emotional distress than caregivers who are nearby, partly because they have to rely on others to provide the day-to-day support they cannot deliver in person. And the emotional wear and tear of long-distance caregiving – guilt and worry – can be more taxing than the logistics
Easing the strain
The logistics are getting easier, from a combination of technology and social networks that recognize the problem. Support groups for family caregivers have sprung up across the country, as ordinary people share the burdens of their extraordinary challenges with others who have the same issues, and who can help supply answers.
Healthcare in the U.S. is highly localized; benefit structures, community services, and medical providers differ dramatically even from one county to the next. A remote caregiver must learn a new local system, and one of the most effective strategies is building a reliable local support network. This might include friends or neighbors who can check in on your loved one, clergy or community volunteers, or simply locals willing to keep an eye on things and alert you to issues early. Establishing regular check-ins with these contacts not only provides peace of mind but can offer insights you might otherwise miss.
Embracing technology also helps bridge the miles. Video calls, shared calendars, remote monitoring systems, and apps designed for medication reminders and care coordination can make a non-local caregiver feel more present. You can see and talk with your loved ones face to face, confirm that medications are taken, and monitor changes in their health or mood. Not all family seniors are infirm, but a majority of them are choosing to age in place in their home, rather than moving to an assisted living facility. Remodeling the home for declining faculties is a key part of this for families to take care of.
Meanwhile, the technologies of today are becoming essential for safety, with innovations such as fall-detection installations around the house, and wearables like a medical alert smartwatch. According to well known medical alert manufacturer, Bay Alarm Medical:
“Wearable medical alert products have relieved the strains of countless caregivers, with GPS location tracking, a caregiver portal for family members to log into, and automatic fall detection to alert caregivers in the event of a sudden fall.” – Alan Wu, CEO
Sharing the burden
Hiring in-home help or contracting with local agencies to send aides, nurses, or companions to a loved one is a valuable way to share the burden. The key word in the field nowadays is “respite”, because even an afternoon or day off from the struggle can help a family caregiver recharge as a human. And the cost need not be prohibitive, especially with local support groups offering venues and volunteers.
When you live far from a parent or relative, selecting and arranging professional care requires extra diligence. Start by asking for referrals from your loved one’s primary care doctor, local Area Agency on Aging, or trusted community organizations. Inquire about the caregiver’s licensing, background checks, training, and references. A reputable home care agency can serve as the conduit.
Hiring someone sight unseen also means setting up clear channels of communication, so set expectations about how and when a caregiver should update you, and by which methods. Some families use shared digital logs where caregivers record daily activities, observations, and any concerns – part of that caregiver portal facility mentioned above. Also, one person might not have to shoulder the entire task: oftentimes other family members can be called upon, and may simply not have thought of it.
And a full family meeting may be useful for good planning. Conversations about advance directives, power of attorney, long-term care insurance, and end-of-life preferences are all best when done in advance of a crisis. Putting legal and financial plans in place while everyone is calm and clear-headed spares you and your loved one needless stress later on. With thoughtful planning, technology, trusted local support, and, when necessary, professional caregiving help, the whole family can provide meaningful care and connection, even from afar.
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Our Editorial Team are writers and experts in their field. Their views and opinions may not always be the views of Wellbeing Magazine. If you are under the direction of medical supervision please speak to your doctor or therapist before following the advice and recommendations in these articles.
