Approaching the topic of in-home care can be tricky for children with aging parents. After all, admitting we need help is tough at any age! However, Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care services understands the nuances of this decision and is available as a trusted ally and resource.
We’ve helped families navigate this process time and again. With a thoughtful approach, a few expert tips, and a whole lot of compassion, you can have a productive and respectful conversation with your senior loved one about their wants and needs surrounding in-home care.
Take a moment to consider the following suggestions and put together a plan for breaching the subject with an aging family member or friend.
- Start Early
Waiting for a crisis to occur before talking about your loved one’s care needs often makes the entire process more difficult. Begin planting seeds before you jump into a full-on conversation.
Perhaps you can ask your parent how he or she feels about another aging family member having to move into a nursing home. Or casually ask what kind of tasks they’re starting to find difficult. This can be a good way to get your senior loved one thinking about the future.
Additionally, watch for outside cues or changes in circumstance that support the potential need for in-home care. For example:
- Has your loved one recently received a negative health diagnosis?
- Have they lost a spouse or close friend?
- Have you noticed a decline in their appearance, habits, or health?
These can all be segways into a larger conversation about their well-being and continued independence.
- Prepare
Like most things in life, practice and preparation are key for this discussion. Before sitting down with a senior loved one, make a list of talking points to keep yourself on track. It can be difficult to think clearly in the middle of a conversation, especially if emotions are high, so having a few notes can help keep the discussion constructive and beneficial for everyone involved.
Think about who should be part of this conversation as well. Does your parent often turn to one particular family member for advice? Do you know of another senior who could share their experience with in-home care? Would it be beneficial to invite a Seniors Helping Seniors® caregiver in to explain our breadth of services? While you don’t want to create an overwhelming situation for your loved one, inviting a few knowledgeable friends to join can help offer answers and ease worries.
If you’d rather approach your parent alone, have a few examples ready that show how senior care services have helped others enjoy their independence longer and could help them too.
- Remember, This Is A Conversation
And, most likely, the first of many. Accepting in-home care is a big decision. Give your loved one a chance to work through the details and do your best to answer any questions or concerns directly, honestly, and with empathy.
Try incorporating a few of the following Seniors Helping Seniors® suggestions:
- LISTEN to what your loved one wants; don’t tell them what they need.
- STAY POSITIVE. Mention things your parent is already doing well and focus the conversation on how these care services will benefit them in the future.
- If your special senior isn’t ready for full-time help yet, suggest short-term or task-based assistance as a starting point.
- Stress The Benefits
Many seniors think that requesting help is the first step in losing their independence when just the opposite is often true! At Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care services, our caregivers are fellow seniors who understand the challenges that accompany aging. Their goal is to help your senior loved one remain in the comfort of home for as long as possible and will provide as much or as little help as needed along the way.
We also match our clients with caregivers who share similar backgrounds and interests, which makes forming a meaningful and lasting connection easy! As a result, our care feels less like a service, more like getting a little help from your friends®.
If you’re struggling to get the conversation started, give us a call. Our experienced team is happy to provide guidance, tips, and resources to make the discussion as easy as possible!
