More and more often, people are opting to stay in their own homes as they age.

Known as “aging in place,” seniors grow older without having to leave their homes and communities. They adapt their surroundings to their needs and they utilize products and services to help them as their circumstances change.

Not only are they are connected to their homes and their neighborhoods and want to remain there, sometimes other senior living options are limited and can be very expensive. Remaining in their own homes helps seniors feel more independent and secure.

But what happens when a senior’s family lives far away? Adult children and grandchildren become long distance caregivers.

They must navigate an array of providers, services and payors, often without seeing or meeting them. It’s important for the family to have a plan in place to care for their loved one when they can’t be nearby.

Some things to consider:

Plan ahead and discuss legal and financial issues before they are needed.

Consult senior care services and networks or the Area Agency on Aging or the Department of Human Services Eldercare Locator to get involved with their network of services.

Make sure that your loved one’s neighbors, doctors, church members etc. know how to reach you and that they know the situation, especially if a senior is living alone. Keep a copy of their local phone book to use to contact resources in their town.

Consider a geriatric care manager to act as an advocate and to help facilitate elder care. Use caution though as there are no licensing requirements for this emerging profession.

If there is a primary caregiver, identify ways in which the long distance family can help. Long distance caregivers can provide emotional support, financial support, speak with health care providers, or handle some financial issues.

Make a physical visit to the home to assess for any hazards and view the actual living situation. Plan your visits so that any appointments or errands can be taken care of during this time. But, also remember to actually visit with your loved one.

Arrange for the senior to keep in touch with family through e-mail, a cell phone or other methods.

Organize a plan of care, make sure everyone in the family knows the plan, and communicate regularly such as through a conference call.

Often, care giving isn’t easy for anyone, whether giving or receiving the care. Sometimes, it’s hard to feel like you’re doing enough, especially when you live far from your loved one, but your efforts are important.