What should I do if my ageing parent lives alone in Christchurch and I live overseas?
Start with an honest conversation about what they manage confidently versus what's become harder, put a plan in place for house maintenance and urgent practical issues, and identify one trusted local contact — family, friend, or a service like Your Person NZ — who can respond in person when needed.
Living alone and struggling are not the same thing
Plenty of people in their 70s and 80s live alone very successfully. The question worth asking isn't whether they should be alone — it's whether there are specific practical gaps (a house too big to maintain solo, no one to call for trades, no backup if something breaks) that need addressing.
A simple check-in structure helps
Regular contact, a plan for who checks the house after severe weather, and clarity on who to call for a practical (non-emergency) problem all reduce the chance of small issues turning into crises.
When to bring in local support
If you're finding yourself trying to coordinate trades, chase quotes or check on the house from another country on a regular basis, that's usually the sign it's time for a local person on the ground. Get in touch to see if we can help.