Caring for mum and dad from afar.
I ran across this CNN article." Caring for mum and dad from afar"
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/family/01/31/ep.long.distance.care/index.html
It presents very well the challenges, family members face when trying to help an elderly relative from a long distance.
I also found these links to commercial products that address these challenges
http://www.cellnetweb.com/eldercare.htm
http://www.cellnetweb.com/dementia.htm