In-Home Care Is A Conversation To Be Started Sooner Rather Than Later
No one wants to address the issue of in-home care for their loved ones. However, it is a conversation that needs to happen sooner rather than later. There becomes a moment when you have to overlook what a person wants in order to give them what they need.
Signs to Look For
There are a few signs to let you know when it is time to start thinking about in-home senior care. This includes loved ones resisting leaving the house, refusing to shower or change clothes, weight loss from failure to cook or even eat their meals, they forget to take their medication regularly, they get confused when you ask questions, and they are isolating themselves from friends and family members.
Pick the Right Time and Place
This can be a very difficult conversation to have, so you want to choose a comfortable time and place to have it. You also want to keep it as simple as possible. Start asking open-ended questions of your loved ones to find out what is important to them. Use words that are nonthreatening so that they don’t overreact. You want to avoid acting like a parent – especially when they are the parent. Thinking ahead can be critical because it will allow you to get the necessary help a loved one needs with diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Prepare for Resistance
Try to remember that resistance is likely because they fear they are losing control of their life. You need to put yourself into the shoes of your loved ones. Would you want help with personal care? When you have always been self-sufficient and you have always been able to take care of yourself, the last thing that you want has to ask someone else for help.
Express Your Concern
It is always better to express concern instead of making accusations. For example, your loved ones don’t want to hear “you can’t” – instead you should say “I’m worried”. Use very specific examples as to why you do not think that they are able to care for themselves. It is a good idea to focus on the behaviors that they are expressing as well as them specifically.
Show Respect
More importantly, you want to be respectful. Seniors don’t want to admit that they are unable to do things on their own anymore. You can suggest ideas without coming across as being pushy. Ultimately, the decision is up to your loved one – you can only make suggestions.
If you suggest in-home care as opposed to a nursing home, warp than likely, they will accept this. More people want to stay in their home because it is what is comfortable to them. No one wants to lose entire control of their life and by staying in their home and seeking in-home care; it can be the best thing for you as well as your loved ones.