Talking to your Parents about Home Care
It can be difficult to acknowledge the fact that your parent needs some help with day-to-day activities, in order to stay safe at home. It can be even more difficult to introduce them to the idea of hiring a professional caregiver to assist them with their daily activities or medical needs at home. Often times, our senior parents do not realize they need the extra support. Approaching the subject requires patience and tact. However, there are certain considerations to keep in mind that can help you approach this conversation with your parent with greater success.
Start the Conversation early and often
- Get together with family, share your thoughts and concerns
- Research the options that potentially will suit your parent not yourself. Ensure you know the benefits of hiring a home care agency.
- List these benefits and advantages.
Some benefits for hiring in-home care for your parent may be: rather than having to move to an assisted living facility or nursing home, they can remain at home; in-home care is often less costly; they will be given one-on-one attention when their caregiver is there.
It is important to listen to your parents express themselves and acknowledge their fears about loss of independence.
You can explain to them that one of the major advantages is in-fact independence. Explain why hiring a caregiver is a way for your parent to maintain their independence in their own home. Of course, this is easier said than done.
Perhaps paint a visual picture for them. Have they already fallen once or twice? Explain what could happen if they fall again – how it could lead to broken bones, surgery and hospitalization, followed by a lengthy recovery period. The same method could be used if they frequently forget to take their medications, or often miss doctor appointments.
It is always best to let them know your concern – it’s hard for you to see them isolated, slowing down or lonely and you know they pride themselves on managing everything on their own but you worry and want to make life easier.
At Global – Love Care, we are always looking for ways to help, so don’t hesitate to contact us for more creative ways to introducing home care to your aging parents.
With Major Love,
Global – Love Care Family