During the early stages of cognitive impairment, it’s often difficult for elderly parents to realize or admit they need additional assistance at home. Excuses to forego home care often include assurances that they don’t need help, even when it’s clear they do. However, there are ways to convince your aging parent that a little help is a good thing.
Find Out Why There’s an Aversion to Home Care
There’s often a reason a senior has an aversion to in-home care. It could be something as simple as not liking the idea of having a stranger in his or her home or feeling embarrassed about needing assistance with daily routines that used to be second nature. It may take a while to get the answer, so be patient with your questioning, and try not to push.
Provide Options
Let your parent have a say in what home care services are provided, who will be providing the care (many home care agencies allow seniors to meet their potential caregivers in advance to see if there’s compatibility), and when the caregiver will be in the home.
One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide senior home care. Turn to Home Care Assistance for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.
Get a Second Opinion
It’s often difficult for seniors to accept the reversed roles when their children start insisting their aging parents need home care. Reduce combativeness or defensiveness by including your loved one’s doctor or trusted friends in the discussion. Sometimes hearing the truth from an outside source is all a senior needs.
Give Your Loved One Time to Adjust
Whether opting for live-in or part-time care, be there when the in-home caregiver arrives to make your parent feel more comfortable as he or she gets used to having this new person in the home. Gradually make excuses to leave them alone for short periods. After you sense an increased level of comfort, consider asking your loved one if the professional caregiver can take him or her to an upcoming doctor’s appointment or shopping for groceries.
Some seniors only require help with a few daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. However, those living with serious illnesses may need more extensive assistance. Luckily, there is professional live-in care Lincoln, California, seniors can rely on. Home can be a safer and more comfortable place for your loved one to live with the help of an expertly trained and dedicated live-in caregiver.
Use an Indirect Approach
You don’t have to discuss the full range of home care services if you think it will overwhelm or confuse your loved one. Instead, only mention the essentials. For instance, you could say “I’ve asked someone to help out around the house and check in on you.” You can also make it about you instead: “I’ve asked someone to check in on you to give me peace of mind when I can’t be here with you.”
Hiring a compassionate professional in-home caregiver is one of the best ways to ensure your loved one enjoys a high quality of life. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality elderly home care. Lincoln families trust Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably. Call us at (916) 226-3737 today to talk to one of our compassionate Care Managers about our high-quality home care services.