Not every senior is willing to accept assistance from family members because they may feel accepting care is akin to giving up their independence. Here are a few tips for caregivers whose senior loved ones are resistant to home care.
Understand the Reason for the Resistance
There are many reasons seniors are resistant to care. While many fear losing their independence, others may be worried about the financial costs of care or the thought of relinquishing their privacy. If you want to persuade your loved one to accept assistance, you must first understand the reasons behind his or her resistance.
To successfully age in place, some seniors require the help of professional caregivers. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of elder care families can rely on. All of our caregivers are bonded, licensed, and insured, there are no hidden fees, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.
Approach the Situation Compassionately
If you bring up the topic of care, do so with compassion and delicacy. Broach the subject when your loved one is relaxed and in a good mood. When discussing home care, make sure to inquire about your loved one’s preferences. Even if it’s not possible to accommodate all of their wants and needs, seniors may be more open to receiving home care if they feel like they’re being heard. If your loved one is initially unwilling to discuss care options, don’t give up. Keep bringing up the subject until your loved one is willing to talk.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
Care-resistant seniors may be willing to undergo a trial run. Test out various care options for a few weeks and ask your loved one about the experience. Your loved one may be more willing to receive assistance after experiencing it firsthand. If your loved one has input in the caregiving process, his or her fear of losing independence might subside.
Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of respite care Fair Oaks seniors can depend on.
Trust the Professionals
For seniors with changing needs, admitting they need help can be incredibly difficult. When family members broach the topic of assistance, it can seem like an indictment of self-sufficiency rather than a genuine offer of help. When complicated family dynamics prevent seniors from accepting care, it may be time to seek the advice of a professional. When the assessment is coming from a doctor or professional caregiver, a senior may be more willing to accept the realities of his or her situation.
Explain Why Care Is Beneficial
If your loved one has spent a lot of time pondering the potential negatives of in-home care, such as loss of independence and privacy, try to convince him or her of the positives. Emphasize that some types of assistance, such as respite care, can make it easier to remain at home for longer.
Present a Solution
As daily tasks become more difficult to handle, even fairly independent seniors start to look for solutions for their least favorite chores. Perhaps your loved one hates grocery shopping, paying monthly bills, or picking up prescriptions on a weekly basis. If you can present home care as a solution to your loved one’s grievances, it may make the idea of assistance more palatable.
If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Fair Oaks home care service. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping. For reliable in-home care services, contact us at (916) 485-4663.