Avoid This Mistake When Discussing Home Care with a Senior Loved One

Home Care Services in Newton, MA – Understand the Benefits of Home Care Services Before Approaching Your Elderly Loved One

A common mistake many family members may make when broaching the topic of home care services with an elderly loved one is not gathering enough information about it first. They begin talking about a home care aide and the senior may immediately shoot down the idea or they could ask questions that their loved ones simply don’t have the answers to.

If you were to walk into a car dealership and had been interested in a certain vehicle, how would you feel if the salesperson wasn’t able to answer your questions in an honest and comprehensive way? You might have specific questions about fuel efficiency, warranty, handling, or other things. If that salesperson only looks that you, shrugs her shoulders, and says, “I don’t know,” you would probably walk out and go somewhere else, wouldn’t you?

Now consider if you were that elderly person who is being talked to about home care of some kind. Most people don’t really know much about the services that non-medical in-home caregivers offer until they are an absolute necessity. We often want to avoid topics of mortality, becoming frail, or having a major health emergency that requires assistance at home. We avoid these things because thinking about them can lead to depression, anxiety, and other emotional issues.

Unless your elderly loved one suffered a heart attack, stroke, other major illness or injury, or had major surgery that requires a long recovery period at home, the signs that they may need some type of assistance will generally be gradual.

If the latter is the case, then that elderly individual may be more resistant to the notion of hiring home care to help them out. They might be well aware of balance related problems, diminished strength in their legs and the rest of their body, and the difficulty they have in maintaining their home in a proper manner, but they may still believe they can do these things even though they take longer and place themselves at increased risk.

Before sitting down to talk to that person about home care services, contact at least one home care agency in the area and possibly even more. Find out everything you can about what these in-home caregivers can offer aging clients. You will likely be surprised by some of the benefits they offer, even to people who are still fully capable of taking care of themselves for the most part.

Once you have a solid grasp on the essentials of these services, then you can share them with your family member. That way when they have questions, you’re more than prepared to answer them. That’s the best way to convince somebody that home care is the right option.