How Can Families Have the Conversation About Home Care with Seniors?
It’s never easy to talk about some of the bigger changes that come with aging. In so many cases, seniors worry that their health and changing needs might mean that they have to leave their homes and give up their independence. Solutions like home care services can help so much, but first families have to have an open conversation.
Choose a Comfortable Moment
There may never be one perfect moment to talk about elder care services, but there are definitely times when it’s obvious that the conversation won’t go well. Ideally, everyone involved in the conversation should be relaxed and in a mood to talk openly. If there are a lot of distractions going on, choosing another time is probably a good idea.
Offer Lots of Reassurance
Part of the reason this conversation can be so uncomfortable is that seniors may worry about what it means. They could fear that they’re going to have to move or face other big changes that they won’t enjoy and don’t want. Reassuring seniors that they’re not going to be forced to do anything they don’t want to do is such an important part of the process.
Talk About What Home Care Does
Often seniors resist the idea of home care or don’t want to talk about it because they don’t realize what it does. The first fact to share is that home care providers aren’t there to take over the situation and order seniors around. They are there to offer just the help that seniors need. There are plenty of ways professional caregivers support aging adults and yet still allow them to maintain their independence and autonomy.
Ask About Seniors’ Plans
If family caregivers haven’t talked about seniors’ plans for the future, now is the time. Do seniors want to age in place? Do they want to live with family members? Or maybe they want to wait and eventually find an assisted living community they like. The best way for family caregivers to help seniors meet those goals and put those plans to work is to know they exist.
Focus on Independence
Above all, seniors tend to respond best to the things that support their independence, both now and in the future. Home care providers can do exactly that, since the help they offer can change gradually over time as seniors’ needs change. It can help a lot to remind seniors that the goal is to support them in their goals, particularly the ones related to maintaining their independence. Taking away control means that seniors are more likely to resist, even when they do know they need help.
These types of conversations aren’t necessarily going to be handled all in one round. They often have to occur over time and tackle various aspects of what’s happening each time. Home care services are something that seniors can try out in the meantime and get to know. As they get more comfortable with all of this, they may be more open to how home care providers can work to support them.