There will come the point when you need to know how to talk to your aging parents about starting in-home care, and the way you approach the topic can mean a smooth transition or an uphill battle. The conversation may be difficult, but it is something you need to address when your parents reach a certain age. Be open and accepting of their concerns but remain firm in your belief that they need vital help to continue to live safely.
Understand Their Point of View
It’s not easy bringing up this topic, and it’s even harder for your parents to accept the fact they’re no longer safe living on their own. Be sympathetic to your parents as you talk over the issue and realize that you’re asking them to give up some of their autonomy. It’s normal for them to outright reject the help at first, and it’s likely that they’ll never accept the help if you push them too hard. Show them you understand what you’re asking of them but let them know you’re only looking out for their best interests.
Name the Benefits of In-Home Care
Lifestyle changes such as in-home care can be scary to people, but going over the services and benefits they’ll experience can relax many of their misgivings. Let your parents know what this kind of care entails and how it will affect their daily lives, making sure to highlight the advantages. It may take some time for the information to sink in, but they’ll grow accustomed to the idea of in-home care.
Give Them Agency in the Process
In-home care inherently means giving up some independence, which is where many concerns arise with aging parents. To mitigate some of that loss of agency, let your parents help you in the process of finding a service provider. It will give them some confidence knowing that they have an active part in this lifestyle change, allowing them to have more power over their circumstances rather than having things decided for them.
Begin Your Discussion Early
It’s tempting to hold off on having the conversation, but part of knowing how to talk to your parents about in-home care means knowing when to initiate the conversation. Don’t wait until they hurt themselves or a crisis happens; you must be proactive and preempt this situation. Getting them the care they need early on can protect them from an avoidable incident that may send them to the hospital or cause long-term injuries.
Guardian in Home Health & Security offers a range of home health care services in Minneapolis, aiding your parents in their everyday lives and ensuring they are safe. Contact a representative to figure out a care plan for your parents that will allow them to be as comfortable as possible.