In 2021, approximately 17% of the world’s population was over the age of 65, according to the World Bank. Taking care of our senior citizens is an area that should not be ignored, as everyone ages and grows old. If you have a senior parent who is becoming increasingly dependent on the care of others, it may be time to talk to them about senior home care. Talking to your senior parent about home care can be emotionally challenging, overwhelming, and confusing. Knowing where to begin can help you to navigate this extremely sensitive topic, no matter your age and the age of your parent.
Stick to Advantages, Not Limitations
One of the most grueling aspects of introducing home care to a senior parent is the thought of taking away their independence. If you have a parent who is adamant about maintaining their independence, it’s important to broach the topic of home care from a positive and beneficial standpoint, rather than focusing on the negatives, such as limitations. If your parent is fearful of losing their independence, highlight some of the advantages of home care and how the service can alleviate unnecessary chores, stress, and activities. Focusing on the positives of having assistance can also help your parent to readjust their own mindset, allowing them to remain more optimistic about the prospect.
Use the Term ‘Home Care’ Instead of ‘Assistance’
Another way to draw your senior parent into the idea of accepting home healthcare is to introduce the term as a luxury service rather than reassuring your parent that they will be receiving necessary assistance. Home healthcare can provide a range of services from checking vitals and maintaining medications to providing physical therapy and daily exercise. When talking to your senior parent about their options, highlighting the luxury services that also come along with home healthcare can make the idea much more appealing and less restrictive.
Ask About Their Own Wishes
When you want to discuss home healthcare with a senior parent, simply bringing up the topic can quickly become a point of contention. Unfortunately, this is all too common among senior citizens, especially those who have always been fiercely independent otherwise. One of the best ways to connect with a senior parent who is on the verge of requiring home care is to show them that you respect their thoughts, wishes, and desires when discussing their healthcare. Respecting your parent can go a long way, even if they are unable to speak clearly or coherently at all times. Most often, seniors simply want to be heard and listened to, and this can go a long way when it comes to finding suitable care for your loved ones. Simply spend time with your parents to learn more about their wishes and how they want to be cared for when they are no longer able to care for themselves.
Consider Caregiving Trials
In some instances, it may be possible to inquire about a home healthcare trial for your senior parent if they qualify. Some home healthcare service providers offer caregiving trials to determine if they are the right fit for your parent’s needs as well as your needs as a family and/or household. When broaching the topic of home healthcare with your mom or dad, consider discussing potential trials that they may be more open to rather than committing to a year-long contract right out of the gate.
Reference Friends and Loved Ones
Do your parents have any friends or loved ones who have benefited from senior home care services for any reason? If so, now may be the time to mention their own choices and how they are satisfied with the level of care they are receiving. Most often, individuals are more perceptive to a new idea, service, or product if another person they trust or love has already approved of it. By referencing others who are already receiving in-home healthcare services, your parents may become more receptive to hearing what services are available and that might be right for their own individual needs.
Knowing how to broach the topic of home care with your senior parent is not always easy, especially if your parents are extremely independent and/or unwilling to ponder the idea of home care (even if it is only temporary). When you are comfortable with the industry of senior home care and understand the ins and outs of the services offered, you can find a solution that is not only suitable for your senior parent but one that brings both of you peace of mind. If your parent decides that home care is the right choice for them, you can rely on Care & Help Home Care, LLC for dedicated and compassionate service. Contact us today to learn more!
