If you’ve seen signs that your parent or loved one needs home care, you may feel anxious about having that initial conversation with your parent. Introducing the idea of home care to a senior can be a sensitive conversation, but we have some tips to help you navigate that discussion.

How to Introduce the Idea of Home Care to a Senior

The more planning and forethought you can put into how and when you’ll introduce the idea of home care to your parents, the better the conversation will likely go. Consider these tips as you’re getting ready to talk with your parents.

Time Your Conversation Carefully

Think carefully about when you want to have this conversation with your parent. It’s best to discuss home care when your parent is relaxed; avoid having this conversation right before a holiday or family gathering. Pick a quiet time when you have plenty of time to talk so you don’t have to worry about cutting the conversation short.

Additionally, you will want to have this conversation before hiring or scheduling home care for your parent. Discussing the home care option will allow him or her to be involved in the decision, making some seniors more willing to agree to home care.

Listen to Your Parent’s Concerns

When discussing bringing in a caregiver, your parent will likely have concerns. You must listen to him or her and let them know that you understand their concerns. Some common concerns among the elderly when it comes to home care are:

• Concern that home care signifies a lack of independence
• Fear of not getting along with the caregiver
• Worries about how to pay for home care
• Feeling like a burden to you and others
• Concern that their privacy is being invaded

Your parent may express any of these concerns and more to you. Be prepared to discuss each concern and try to devise a suggestion or way to help them feel better and set their minds at ease.

See Things From Your Parent’s Point of View

When talking with your parent, do your best to try to see things from their point of view. Until now, your parents have been the caregivers, but now the roles have been reversed, and you are caring for them. Not only that, but you’re now asking to bring a stranger into the house to help care for them. Your parent may feel ashamed, frustrated, and resistant to the idea of home care. Some seniors feel that they don’t need care at all. The more you understand how your parent feels about the situation, the better you can adjust the conversation to reassure them and help them understand why you think it is time to bring in-home care.

Ask Questions

If your loved one is receptive or willing to consider the idea of home care, try to involve them in finding a caregiver so that they feel more in control of the situation. Consider asking your parent the following questions:

• Are there particular tasks that you would like help with while at home?
• Are there certain qualities or characteristics you would like a caregiver to have?
• Do you have concerns about home care that we should discuss with a caregiver or agency?

Having a role in decision-making may make your parent more receptive to caregiving.

Be Prepared to Have Several Conversations

In most instances, introducing the idea of home care isn’t something that can be done with a single discussion. Be prepared to broach the topic initially and have many follow-up conversations to discuss details and questions your parent thinks of after your conversations.

Your Next Steps

You may also have questions as you introduce home care to your parent. Don’t hesitate to contact Cahoon Care. We’re happy to discuss home care with you and the types of care that may be best suited for your parent.