Your mother has always been a proud and independent woman, but ever since Dad died, something’s changed. Mom’s hygiene isn’t the best, her house is always messy, and she’s not socializing like she used to. It’s reached the point you’re worried about her health and well-being. You’d like to help Mom out more but have a full-time job and household to manage. What should you do? Convincing an aging loved one to accept professional caregiving options is never easy. Here are five ways to get even the most stubborn senior to reconsider.
Why Are Seniors Hesitant to Accept Care?
Since the average older adult has spent a lifetime managing a household and working various jobs, they don’t like to be lectured by others about their affairs – notably adult children.
Whether it’s from an informal caregiver or a professional, seniors often balk at accepting care for reasons like:
- Denial
- Privacy concerns
- Embarrassment
- Pride
- Apathy
Confusion and memory loss caused by dementia or Alzheimer’s can further cloud a senior’s judgment. Once cognitive changes occur, convincing a loved one to accept care can be even more challenging.
Why Is home health care the Best Option?
Once a senior can no longer take care of themselves, options include moving into a nursing home or starting professional home health care. Seniors who age in place enjoy these benefits as a result:
- Familiar surroundings
- Visit with family and friends any time of day
- Increased safety and comfort
- Set their own schedule
- Choose their own activities
- Access to personal belongings
Easing an Older Adult into Starting Home Health Care
Every senior deserves the right to age in place with dignity and respect. Once you start noticing that your loved one is having trouble completing activities of daily living (ADLs), here are five tips for gently easing them into the idea of home health care:
Respectfully share your concerns
Look for “red flags” around your parent’s home, such as dirty dishes in the sink, stacks of unpaid bills, or unfilled medicine prescriptions. Choose a non-threatening setting to sit down with your parent and respectfully share your concerns. Politely ask them if they are having trouble completing household tasks like laundry, cooking, or cleaning, and offer to help.
Involve your siblings
If your initial conversation doesn’t go well, ask your siblings to chime in. Approach mom or dad as a unified group and tell them how much they mean to you, along with why you are all worried about their health and wellbeing. Hearing the same message from multiple children may be all it takes to change a stubborn parent’s mind.
Recruit trusted outsiders
If you and your siblings are still facing resistance, it may be time to involve some trusted outsiders, such as a doctor, faith leader, or close friend. A geriatric care manager can also do a complete health assessment and make recommendations to the family while your parent is present.
Point out the advantages
If dad’s feeling lonely, point out how having a companion could help cheer him up. If your mom is having trouble getting around, point out specific ways a “personal assistant” could make her life easier. Once you have a dialogue going, it’s easier to be blunt and honest with your loved one. Also, mention the advantages of remaining at home versus moving into an assisted living retirement community.
Be persistent
A good strategy is to slowly ease your parent into the idea of receiving care for a few hours per week. For instance, hire someone to take Dad to his medical appointments or clean his house. After he’s gotten used to having someone around – and reaped the rewards – you can usually convince even the most stubborn senior to accept help from a professional in-home home health aide!
Trusted In-Home Caregiving Options for Seniors in Albuquerque
When you or your loved one need assistance, contact Luna Vista Home Health and Hospice. We are a fully licensed and insured home health care provider with highly trained professionals who are experts at delivering the nurturing your loved one deserves. While serving as an extended family in your senior’s home, our compassionate home health aides can perform duties like light housekeeping, personal care, dementia care, companionship care, medication reminders, and even live-in and 24-hour care.
Our agency’s focus is maintaining your loved one’s quality of life, along with their dignity, self-esteem, and independence. For your added convenience, all our in-home services can be individually personalized into an affordable package when and where you need them! Please visit us now to learn more about us or schedule a FREE initial consultation for a senior in our service area.
