Do you have a senior loved one who adamantly refuses the idea of having someone come into the home to provide care? This is a difficult spot to find yourself in, as you no doubt need a break from the ongoing task of caretaking.
It is often very difficult for older adults to admit they need help, even if it seems obvious. They may struggle with completing normal tasks such as bathing and dressing, yet if the idea of in-home care is brought up, it is often met with resistance and indignation. Many seniors feel it’s a waste of money or an insult to their intelligence to suggest that they need help.
If the senior in your life has trouble acknowledging they need help, here are a few tips that will help you broach the subject with love and compassion.
1. Bring up in-home care gradually.
It can seem disturbing for seniors to accept a stranger coming into their home to offer care. Give them time to adjust by talking through exactly what would happen and how it could help them—and you.
You may choose to have the caretaker come for just a few hours a week or to offer aide with a few specific tasks. Save the more intimate or personal tasks for when a good rapport has been established.
2. Make sure your senior adult feels heard.
Any change in routine can be scary for your loved one. To make these changes as easy as possible, take as much time as necessary to listen to their cares and concerns about in-home care. Do the best you can to make the decision with them and not for them. Involving your senior in the hiring process may help them feel more confident about the whole situation. This will help them feel they have a hand in choosing who will be caring for them.
3. Use the authority of the doctor.
Most people have a healthy respect for their physicians, so don’t hesitate to utilize the authority of a doctor when discussing in-home care. If they see it as a prescribed necessity, they may accept it more readily.
4. Tell them the in-home care is more for you than them.
Many seniors will be more willing to accept in-home care if they think that it’s to help you out. Telling them that you need the help will lessen the feelings of losing control and independence. You could also tell your senior that you need help with housekeeping and other chores that would make life easier for you both.
5. Tell them the in-home care arrangement is not permanent.
You may find that your senior loved one is far more receptive to the idea of in-home care if they think it is only a temporary arrangement. As they adjust to the idea and build rapport with the caregiver, they will more than likely be willing to accept their help as a part of daily life.
It’s never easy to introduce change to seniors, especially when it involves their care. In-home care may become necessary to give you a much-needed break as a caretaker.
For more information and tips on caring for your senior adult, please contact us today!