Talking to a Senior Loved One About Home Care

Are you finding that you’re now responsible for caring for the parent who raised you? If so, it’s a role reversal that none of us are truly ever ready for. Taking the person who taught you how to drive to their appointments or grocery shopping may mean it’s time to explore the idea of getting home care assistance for your aging loved one.

Even if it’s becoming a reality that your parents need help caring for themselves, it’s still a very difficult subject to face, let alone discuss. A loved one might not realize they need assistance or feel it will impact their independence which can make it tough to agree on the best path forward. Nonetheless, this is an important conversation to have, especially since you don’t want to put your loved ones at risk or face potential caregiver burnout yourself. But how should you approach this very sensitive topic with your senior loved ones?

Griswold Home Care recommends that the best way to address the situation is to acknowledge your parents’ concern, and reassure them that your goal is to help them continue to maintain their independence, but to do it safely in their own home.

Here are some tips that might make the conversation easier:

Recruit others to help:

Trusted family members, or friends, such as a spouse, doctor, or family attorney can be especially helpful when talking about home care options. It’s best to have regular discussions about how you can improve your loved one’s situation while maintaining their independence.

Don’t wait:

It’s never easy to have this conversation in a crisis, such as a health issue. Talk about finding a home caregiver as early as possible so everyone involved can reach a decision and start the planning process without any pressure.

Be sure to listen:

Your loved one is bound to have anxiety about regularly scheduled visits from an in-home caregiver, not to mention concerns and objections. Be sure not to minimize their feelings. Acknowledge them, and ask questions so you can understand their feelings. Doing so will demonstrate that you really do care.

List the advantages:

Let your loved one know how a home caregiver can make life easier for both of you. Point out that by hiring in-home care, your loved one may be able to remain at home rather than moving to an assisted living facility or nursing home. In-home care is often less expensive and they will get one-on-one attention from the caregiver.

Focus on independence:

Explain that hiring a caregiver is a way for your loved one to stay independent in their own home. An in-home caregiver can help them stay safer and comfortable in the place they know best.

The Griswold Home Care Metrowest-Boston office has been helping families in Needham and the surrounding area, since 1992. If you would like to talk to find out how Griswold Home Care can help your aging loved one continue to enjoy their independence while staying safe in their own home, give us a call at (781) 559-0073. We’ll be happy to discuss how our home caregivers can help care for a cherished elderly family member.