Empowering Immigrant Caregivers: Navigating Family Care from Afar

You see when most people leave their home countries to another country, they leave for various reasons, ranging from work to greener pastures.

And the truth is, many of us want to care for our loved ones back home. But we face a lot of challenges when trying to do so. Remittance costs are still eating into our finances. This is not to mention the emotional turmoil of guilt and helplessness we feel when we cannot be physically present to care for our family members during illness or emergencies.

At Fleri, being proud migrants ourselves, we see and have experienced these problems first-hand. Hence, our solution. With our family care platform, you can now provide top-notch healthcare for your loved ones back home without bothering about cash transfers or remittance costs.

But it would be unhealthy to go on and on about our solution without discussing in-depth the challenges we all face as immigrant caregivers, how technology is solving it and how Fleri is playing her part in it.

Ready? Let’s dive in.

The Immigrant Caregiver Experience

The Immigrant Caregiver Experience can be emotionally tough. Many caregivers often feel homesick, and it takes a toll on their emotions.

In our first conversation with Saran Njie, who lived in Ottawa and has an ageing mother in Gambia, she confessed that she had been feeling homesick for a while. But she was working, and she couldn’t be there for her ailing and ageing mother. Hence, after five months of signing up with us, getting monthly wellness reports about her mom’s health, and getting reports from her mom, Mrs. Binta Njie, of the top-notch care and follow-ups she was getting through our services, she said

“I was skeptical about signing up with Fleri at first. But since a friend had recommended them, I made that decision. I have not regretted my decision, as my mom rarely complains of her recurrent joint pains. She also has diabetes, and she tells me that their exceptional care has made her blood sugar levels stable. I’m indeed grateful.”

Adebola Ade-Caxton also bears witness to immigrant struggles. He told us that prior to signing up with Fleri, the costs of caring for his loved ones back in Lagos, Nigeria, had been eating deep into his finances. He was sending money home virtually every month for one care expense and the other.

But months after onboarding six of his loved ones onto Fleri, he testifies that,

“These days, I now have peace of mind knowing that the fees I pay for the care of my loved ones are being put to good use. My dad had to have a hernia surgery two months ago, and I didn’t have to fret or wait unnecessarily until the procedure was done. I’d recommend Fleri to anyone. They’re the real-life superheroes of healthcare.”

Logistics can also be challenging. It can be hard for quality healthcare to reach remote areas, leading to severe consequences for the loved ones of caregivers.

Dozie Anyaegbunam was in that position before he signed up with Fleri. His Dad was perpetually down with shingles and memory loss and was self-medicating. It was also impossible for quality healthcare to reach him in the remote parts of Eastern Nigeria.

However, since onboarding his Dad as a beneficiary with us, our last-mile care plans have helped his Dad return to perfect health.

These struggles are real and emotional for immigrant caregivers. Balancing life, finances, and logistics is a journey filled with challenges and resilience, and we’re here to solve them by leveraging the power of technology.

But how, you ask? Let’s go on.

The Role of Technology in Empowering Immigrant Caregivers

Imagine a world where you’d have to leave your home country and not be able to reach or care for your loved ones from afar.

You’d be bothered for their welfare, yes? Of course.

And that’s the gap that technology bridges. With periodic wellness reports, blood pressure watches, and virtual doctor consultations, among other things, caring for our loved ones from afar has become super easy.

Fleri also leverages technology to make caring for our loved ones back home easy.

Today, you can easily pick up your phone from anywhere in the world and speak to our family care managers about your loved ones’ health needs. They’re always available and will guide you on the exact plan that fits your loved ones’ needs.

With the help of technology, you can pay for the care of your loved ones in a heartbeat. With a few clicks, you secure your peace of mind. Your loved ones also get the care they need without any trouble.

That’s not all.

You also get to access our virtual doctor service. It’s all online. You can talk to licensed doctors through video or phone calls. This is handy and affordable for medical advice.

Here’s what Tendai, who lives in Sydney, Australia, has to say,

“Everyone knows shortfalls are a crazy thing in Zimbabwe, requiring me to always send money even though we already got medical aid for the family. Now, with Fleri, they prepay for the shortfalls, and I can simply pay them back in Sydney without having to rush to Western Union because someone is waiting for the money before they get treatment. It’s made a huge difference in their lives, and I’m grateful for this platform and the peace of mind it brings.”

There are also more cool tech solutions, such as medication tracking apps, language translation apps, and emergency alert systems that help immigrant caregivers make caring for their loved ones back home a breeze.

The Future of Immigrant Caregiving

Immigrant caregiving has always been intricately woven with love, sacrifice, and resilience. The story of immigrant caregivers is an important one, marked by their determination to provide a better life for their loved ones in a new land, often at the expense of their well-being. But as the world evolves, so too does the landscape of immigrant caregiving.

Today, we find ourselves at a juncture where technology is poised to become a key force in the lives of immigrant caregivers. These unsung heroes, who have long shouldered the responsibility of caring for their families, are now presented with a powerful ally: technology. This ally is not just a tool; it’s a transformative force that is redefining the very essence of caregiving.

In the future, we’ll undoubtedly witness remarkable technological advancements. Artificial intelligence and machine learning will enable predictive healthcare, helping caregivers anticipate and address the unique needs of their loved ones. Robotics will play a substantial role, assisting with physical tasks and providing companionship to those in need. Augmented and virtual reality will enable immersive experiences that transcend geographical boundaries, allowing caregivers to be virtually present even when they are physically distant.

But it’s not just about gadgets and gizmos. The future will also see a profound shift in the way we perceive and value caregiving. Recognition of the vital role immigrant caregivers play in society will grow, resulting in increased support, both emotional and financial. Technology will empower caregivers to access resources, education, and networks that amplify their capabilities and voice.

That’s not all. Technology has the power to create a more empathetic and compassionate world. Virtual reality simulations can provide insights into the challenges faced by immigrant caregivers, fostering understanding and empathy among communities. Online platforms will serve as hubs for sharing stories, advice, and emotional support, fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity. It’s surely a future to look forward to.

Conclusion

Immigrant caregivers face a multitude of challenges that are not just taxing on their physical stamina but also on their emotional resilience. They often find themselves in a position where they must care for their loved ones from a distance, adding an extra layer of complexity to an already demanding role.

Here’s where technology, particularly Fleri, steps in as a beacon of hope. We take the weight off your shoulders by taking control of the entire care process. You can call us that trusted friend, guiding you through the maze of healthcare options and connecting you with the best providers and services, regardless of geographic boundaries.

Though the world of caregiving can be incredibly daunting, technology has the power to turn obstacles into opportunities. Fleri is that superhero in healthcare riding on the wings of technology. Use Fleri today and secure your peace of mind and the health of your loved ones.