Bringing up the idea of home care services to an aging family member can sometimes be difficult. Some seniors want to remain independent and live at home for as long as they can, and they may not understand how home care services can help make those goals possible. Having open and compassionate conversations about this type of assistance and how it works alleviates a great many fears and concerns for aging adults.
Empathize with Feelings
Facing the idea of needing help with daily tasks can bring up a lot of emotions. Seniors may feel afraid, resentful of needing help, or even guilty for needing help. Fear of losing independence is a huge concern for seniors, and it can cause them to resist the idea. It’s important for family caregivers to acknowledge and validate those feelings, so that seniors can work through them more quickly.
Listen Actively
When family caregivers practice active listening, seniors are less likely to feel judged for sharing their thoughts and feelings. The key to active listening is to allow the person to express themselves, and then paraphrase back what they’ve said. This type of communicating can help to reduce misunderstandings and keeps everyone on the same page.
Highlight the Benefits of Home Care
Home care services exist to support independence, not take it away. Elder care providers offer targeted support based on what each aging adult most needs. This allows them to focus on helping seniors to meet their goals, whatever those might be, while seniors stay in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes.
Address Practical Concerns
It can also help for family caregivers to talk about the specific practical issues they’ve noticed. Safety is one of the biggest reasons families want seniors to consider moving, for instance. Addressing those specific safety issues, such as fall risks or having help with personal care tasks, allows family caregivers and seniors to see specific ways that home care can help.
Offer Choices
No one enjoys feeling incompetent or as if they can no longer do the things they used to do. As seniors age, they start to feel as if more of their choices and decisions are taken away from them. That can be the case with home care services, too. It can sometimes feel as if family caregivers are forcing this assistance on them, without seniors having a say in what happens. There are lots of choices that seniors can still make regarding elderly care and the details of that help.
Provide Reassurance and Support
Another big fear for many seniors is that family caregivers won’t be as involved in their care if home care assistance enters the picture. But senior care services make it easier for family caregivers to stay involved in the care of the aging adults they love. Having frequent reminders of this can be a huge help for seniors.
Talking compassionately about home care and how it can make a positive difference for aging adults is crucial. Family caregivers can focus on validating concerns and feelings, while also sharing the different benefits and positive aspects of having additional help.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Danville, CA, please contact the caring staff at Provident Care Home Care today at (209) 578-1210.
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