Last week, we highlighted some common signs that your parent needs home care. You may notice some of these signs when you see your parent over the holidays. But once you realize that the time is nearing when you’ll need help from Mom or Dad, you’ll need to have a meaningful discussion with them.

How to Bring Up the Topic of Home Care

Bringing up the idea of home care can be a touchy subject, and it’s likely that your parent or loved one will react emotionally to the discussion. However, these five tips can help to make the discussion as easy as possible for you both.

Start the Discussion Early

If possible, discuss home care well before you hire a caregiver. It can be challenging for seniors to adjust to having someone come into their home to care for them, especially if they’ve been relying on family for help until now.

In some situations, you may not have much time, but if you suspect your loved one will eventually need home care, bring up the topic as soon as possible.

Carefully Choose Your Timing

Your timing in starting the conversation about home care can contribute to the outcome. Pick a time when your loved one is relaxed, and you have plenty of time for a longer conversation if things go that way. Don’t bring up the topic when you’re rushed, stressed, or flustered.

Explain Why You’re Worried

Don’t just tell your loved one that they need home care. Instead, explain that you’re worried about their safety living at home and offer home care as a solution. It may be helpful to highlight some things that a caregiver would do, such as helping with light meal prep, accompanying your loved one to doctor’s appointments, or just being there daily to check in and ensure your loved one is safe.

Stay Respectful

Your loved one will probably have questions and concerns about home care, and you should do your best to listen carefully to them. Make your loved one a part of the process when you think about what you need in a caregiver and what local solutions may suit your family.

Don’t Give Up

Don’t approach the discussion believing you’ll have an initial conversation and your loved one will agree to home care. This topic must be an ongoing discussion that you will revisit a few times. If your loved one raises detailed questions, you may need to contact us for answers, so be ready for the conversation to take some time.

Your Next Steps

If your loved one’s safety is at risk, you must implement home care. But if you still have time, have a few discussions about home care with your loved one. Remember to highlight the positives of home care.

At Cahoon Care, we closely match each client with an appropriate caregiver. Our goal is to have the same caregiver provide care each time. As a result, our caregivers and clients often develop relationships, and your loved one will experience consistency in their care.

If you have questions about home care, please contact us today. We would be happy to learn about your loved one, their care needs, and how we can help.