When your senior parent is facing difficulty with daily activities, it can signal a need for help. Still, your loved one may resist hiring a caregiver, so it’s best to present this prospect cautiously. Here are a few tips for easygoing discussions with desirable outcomes.

View the Subject from Your Parent’s Perspective

Imagine being elderly and a family member raises the issue of home care with you. Consider the various thoughts, feelings, and objections you’d have. By taking this mental approach, you’ll be more sensitive to your parent’s concerns.

For instance, your loved one might see having a caregiver as infringing on his or her privacy. Additionally, your parent may fear losing his or her independence and preferred lifestyle.

Propose the need for a hired caregiver with empathy, stating you understand if your parent is reluctant. Note your loved one’s facial expressions and body language, and respond reassuringly. In turn, your loved one will likely be more cooperative.

Realistically, it can take several conversations before your parent agrees to have a caregiver. Thus, try to be patient.

Hiring professional in-home care is one of the best ways to ensure your loved one enjoys a high quality of life. Home care Miami experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.

Choose Favorable Times to Talk

Broaching the topic of in-home care may be uncomfortable. Still, it’s prudent to start the discussion before your parent has a health crisis. This way, your loved one can take part in the decision-making, promoting his or her independence.

Look for opportunities to introduce the idea of home care services. Here are some examples:

Your parent mentions having difficulty with certain tasks, such as doing laundry or grocery shopping

Your loved one forgets to take medication or turn off the stove after cooking

Your loved one nearly falls due to cluttered floors in the home

When your parent recognizes the need for assistance, he or she may be more open to allowing it.

For optimal receptivity, have your talks when there’s plenty of time and your loved one is alert and feels relaxed. Also, pick a quiet setting. For instance, check that the TV is off and your loved one’s phone is muted.

Elaborate on the Benefits of In-Home Care

Paint a picture of how much easier your parent’s life will be. Explain that a personal caregiver can do the following:

Escort your loved one to appointments with medical professionals
Ensure your parent takes medications on time
Help your parent stay active
Perform light housekeeping tasks, such as washing dishes, dusting, and doing laundry
Provide delicious, nutritious meals and snacks
Run errands, including trips to the post office, dry cleaner, and grocery store

Moreover, by accepting in-home care, your parent can avoid moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility. Meanwhile, a caregiver is a cheerful companion. For example, the caregiver can play games with your parent and participate in his or her favorite hobbies.

When you present the pros of hiring a caregiver, your loved one may welcome the help.

Though you may be researching multiple agencies that provide in-home care, Assisting Hands Home Care has much to offer your family and your elderly loved one. We are leaders in the senior home care industry, offering hourly and around-the-clock assistance from reliable, experienced caregivers. Trust Assisting Hands Home Care to help your loved one enjoy a happier and healthier life in the golden years.

Suggest Home Care on a Trial Basis

Ask your parent to permit caregiver visits as an experiment, acquainting your loved one with the service. To start, you could recommend home care twice a week for a few hours a day. Urge your parent to try this schedule for a few weeks.

Then ask your loved one if there are specific tasks he or she would like help with. Write them down along with any others you feel are warranted. Include some fun activities, such as going for a stroll, playing cards, or visiting a friend.

If you’re planning a vacation, it’s an opportune time to arrange respite care. Tell your parent that having a caregiver in your absence will give you peace of mind.

When seniors regard home care as temporary, it gives them a sense of control. Plus, they can warm up gradually to ongoing assistance.

Handle Resistance Tactfully

Your parent could refuse home care for several reasons. For example, your loved one might feel embarrassed if he or she needs help with personal hygiene. Or your parent might view a personal caregiver as a stranger in the home.

Still, if your loved one’s health and safety are in jeopardy, try a new angle. First, ask another family member to casually mention the idea of hiring a housekeeper. This gentle strategy may soften your parent’s resistance.

If it doesn’t, call a medical professional your parent trusts. Explain that your loved one needs a caregiver but he or she is reluctant to accept one. Then suggest that your parent might be more receptive to that particular physician. If the doctor agrees, schedule an appointment for your loved one.

Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care services. Assisting Hands Home Care are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. Trust Assisting Hands Home Care to provide high-quality compassionate professional care for your loved one. If your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (305) 574-9137.