In-Home Care: 4 Tips For Urging Aging Parents To Hire Help
As your parents have continued to age, you have probably noticed that certain tasks have become difficult for them. Perhaps they cannot take the trash out, clean their bathroom, or shower without help. While you are happy to lend a helping hand, it's not something you plan to do on a regular basis. You offer to hire an in-home care professional to help them complete tasks that are becoming increasingly difficult, but they refuse.
Does this sound familiar? If so, you are not alone. While the topic of in-home care can be a touchy one, it is an important one that should be discussed. So what should you do if your parents don't want help? Here are four tips to help convince them:
1. Gather Reinforcements
If your parents flat out refuse to get help, you might want to gather reinforcements. The opinions of others, such as friends or doctors, might help convince them. While it might sound silly, outside opinions often have more weight as they aren't biased. So getting their doctor or friends on-board with the decision might just be the push they need to accept (and perhaps welcome) help.
2. Give Options
Perhaps your parents are feeling a little overwhelmed by the thought of constant care. If that is the case, offer up them up a few different options. An in-home caregiver can visit the home on select days or help with pre-determined tasks. Make sure they emphasize the benefits of an in-home caregiver, such as the ability to take them out for walks or run errands for them. Also, make sure you let them have the final decision when it comes to how frequently the caregiver comes to the home.
3. Don't Rush
It might be tempting to rattle off a list of reasons why they need help, but it's probably not a good idea to do so. Take it slow and incorporate the topic into conversation often. Remember, your parents are adults and it can be hard for them to accept help. So be patient and take the conversation slow, instead of berating them into accepting it.
4. Focus on the Positives
Finally, consider focusing on the positive aspects of hiring an in-home caregiver. Don't just tell them they need help so that they can bathe or clean their home. Instead, focus on things that they like. Perhaps the caregiver can help them go out visit places they like. Or maybe they can help your parents bake or cook up delicious meals. Focusing on the positive aspects of the caregiver can help your parents feel less stressed and overwhelmed.
In-home care is a wonderful solution for aging parents. It allows seniors the ability to still maintain their independence, while receiving the help and care that they need. If your parents are feeling hesitant about hiring a caregiver, use these tips to help convince them it's a good idea. To learn more, contact a company like In Your Home Care.