Learn strategies to approach the topic of senior home care with elderly parents.The first signs can be so subtle that many people wouldn’t even notice that anything is amiss. Mom is extroverted, pleasant, and conversational while visiting close friends and family and while running errands. But those closest to her are starting to pick up on concerns: being forgetful about the soup cooking on the stove, leading to a scorched pan. Putting her keys in the cookie jar. Forgetting to pay bills.
As an adult child of a loved one in the early stages of compromised safety or perhaps the ability to make competent choices, it is typically remarkably difficult to adapt to a greater level of involvement and care – nevertheless, it’s also extremely important to take steps as soon as possible.
Similar to broaching any confrontational topic of conversation, speaking with your senior loved one about the concerns you are seeing may very well be met with opposition and defensiveness in the beginning. That said, it is useful to summarize the particular factors behind your concern, and also the negative consequences if these behaviors continue on or progress.
Home Sweet Home In-Home Care advocates these strategies for telling aging parents they need care at home:
- Be certain that a durable power of attorney has been appointed.
- Confirm with your siblings that the problem has to be dealt with, and discuss together what choices are available for the senior’s care as needs continue to grow.
- Remain loving but strong in your plan. Present the choices you have thought through. If she balks at the idea of relocating to an assisted living facility, which many seniors do, suggest an in-home caregiver instead, allowing her to be independent and safe within the comfort of home.
- Understand that it will likely take many conversations until the senior accepts the necessity for assistance – which is the reason why it’s necessary to begin the process as soon as possible.
At Home Sweet Home In-Home Care, we’re experienced in aiding seniors to feel comfortable and positive regarding how our services will help enhance safety and overall quality of life and wellbeing. As soon as your family decides the time is right aging parents to get care at home, we are able to help with highly personalized care that can meet an array of needs, such as:
- Companionship
- Meal planning and preparation
- Housework and laundry
- Transportation
- Running errands
- Highly specialized care for dementia
- And much more
Whether the need is for just a few hours each week to boost safety and socialization, full-time care, or anything in between, partnering with Home Sweet Home In-Home Care improves quality of life for older adults and offers peace of mind for people who love them. Contact us online or call us at 269-373-5444 for an in-home assessment and to learn more about our Kalamazoo senior care services and all of the other Michigan communities that we serve. To reach our St. Joseph office, call 269-849-9252, Paw Paw office 269-763-5350, or Battle Creek office 269-963-9888.