It can be hard to acknowledge that you might need help. Starting the conversation about home care with your older loved one can be challenging. Like approaching any change, airing the subject requires compassion, patience, and a plan.
If you are trying to bring up the topic of home care with your older loved one, there are some key things to keep in mind.
How to Start the Conversation about Home Care
It’s important to understand that talking about your older loved one’s future care will take more than one discussion. Think of each conversation as a jumping-off point that helps you and your loved one make the best decision for the care together.
Below are some pointers to keep in mind. Remember, you don’t have to bring up all of these in a single conversation. Focus on one or two at a time.
- Start with the Benefits
Quality home care provided by a professional caregiver can greatly improve everyday life for seniors. Receiving daily care can make it easier to live safely at home and age in place in a familiar setting, rather than moving to an assisted living facility.
- Express Your Concerns
If you are worried about your older loved one’s health, tell them. Explain how much you love them and that their well-being is important to you. If you are acting as their primary caregiver, talk to them about the challenges you are facing providing care on top of career and family responsibilities.
- Focus on Independence
Having a caregiver help around the home is an excellent way for your loved one to maintain their independence at home. A professional caregiver is a resource. For example, they can help with medication reminders, meal prep, and personal care. If your loved one has mobility challenges and has fallen in the past, a caregiver can help assess the home and remove hazards.
- Dispel Worries
Change isn’t always easy. When bringing up the topic of future care, seniors can often fear losing their independence or the financial cost of healthcare. These worries are understandable. Having a professional caregiver help around the house and with personal care can be an adjustment, but the goal is to make senior lives their fullest in their golden years.
While paying for medical services can be difficult, there are options when seeking reliable in-home care services. Reputable care providers are committed to working with you and often accept most major insurance providers, Medicare, Medicaid, or Private Pay, depending on your financial needs.
A Compassionate Approach to Home Care
Approaching the topic of home care may take time, but all big decisions require compassion and consideration. Here are a few more tips to help you when discussing home care with your older loved ones:
- Caring is all about teamwork. Ask your older loved ones about what their plans are for the future. Do they see themselves staying in their home for their golden years? What tasks would they like more help with around the house? At what point do they think they might need help with personal care? These types of questions are key to ask when choosing the best type of care for your loved one’s needs.
- Try a trial-run. All care plans are customized. So, whether your loved one would benefit from light homecare, medication reminders, meal prep personal care, or more specialized services, you and your family can pick the kind of assistance needed. Care plans can also change over time to accommodate new requirements.
- Don’t force them to accept care. Unless there is an immediate safety concern, it’s okay to let your loved ones take time to think about their future care. You can come back to the topic again. Let them know that you’re bringing up the subject of home care out of a place of love and concern.
If you would like to know more about home care services, our professionals are here to answer any questions.
