Any change can be a big one, especially when seniors need to consider the idea of letting someone help them a little more. Home care services are tremendously helpful for aging adults, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to be excited right from the start. Apprehension is common and it helps for family caregivers to have a conversation about what everyone expects.
Don’t Wait
Waiting for an emergency or a situation in which elder care support is necessary immediately is not the right time for the conversation. That can leave seniors feeling as if they don’t have any choice in the matter, even if the situation is an obvious sign that they need help. Timing matters, so it’s best to wait for a calm time before a true crisis occurs.
Support, Not a Replacement
Sometimes seniors worry about home care assistance because it seems like it might be a replacement for the family caregiver or for the senior’s own independence. That isn’t the case. Home care providers are there to offer support, not take over or dictate new routines and ways of doing things.
Benefits of Home Care
Playing up the benefits of home care is super important. The biggest one has to be that seniors experience improved quality of life. Seniors can continue to do the things they enjoy while also getting help with the tasks that are becoming more difficult. Seniors also get companionship and someone to do activities with regularly. Family caregivers get improved peace of mind and seniors experience improved safety.
Talk About the Concerns
Even with all the benefits, seniors are bound to have some questions and concerns. Glossing over these concerns is a bad idea. Instead, family caregivers need to talk about these issues and look for solutions now. Home care providers can also help to offer reassurance to seniors about the concerns they have.
Take Things Slowly
One of the solutions to some of these possible concerns is for everyone to take things slowly if it’s at all possible. Give seniors control over the schedule and let them know that this is something they can experience at their own pace. This is another benefit of having the conversation early instead of waiting for an emergency, because the situation isn’t dictating timing.
Reassure Seniors and Give Them Time to Process
This is a big change and seniors need time to adjust. Seniors need to know that their family members are going to continue to be there for them. They also need to process the changes they’re experiencing, especially in terms of having new people around them and helping them with sometimes embarrassing tasks. Understanding that and giving seniors the time they need helps them to feel less rushed or pressured.
Approaching the idea of having home care providers around as carefully as possible helps ensure that seniors have the information they need to adjust well. Family caregivers can offer reassurance along the way and make sure that seniors stay involved in making the big decisions around their own care.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Larkspur, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare of Parker. 303-953-9924
