Accepting the truth that a senior loved one needs assistance at home can be challenging. Even more challenging is speaking with the senior about the need for home care services and getting him or her to acknowledge that assistance is warranted. If you have noticed changes in your loved one and you sense the need to initiate discussing home care as a way to enhance safety and independence in the home, try some of these conversation starters to broach the subject in a delicate, non-confrontational way.
If heightened frailty is growing to be a problem:
“I love you, Mom, and now that you live on your own, I’m concerned about your safety. I know someone who can help us to make the home much safer and make it less difficult for you to get around and stay independent. Can I have her come over to talk with us? It would really put my mind at ease.”
If there is a risk of falling or mobility has decreased:
“Since you fell recently, I’ve been worried about it happening again. I know someone who can come and give us recommendations on how to make your home safer and keep falls from occurring. I’d love for us to get together and talk with her and see what ideas she has for us.”
If diminishing personal hygiene has become a problem:
“I’d love to have someone come over a couple of times a week to help you around the house. Let’s work together to find a person you’d feel at ease with. We can work with a professional agency to locate someone who shares the same interests as you so that you’ll not only have some help from time to time, but also a good friend to enjoy chatting with.”
When an older adult can no longer drive safely:
“I know that not being able to drive and get out as much has been tough. If we hire a home care aide for a couple of hours several times each week, you could get back to engaging in all the activities that you’ve been missing, like shopping, visiting friends, and running to the store.”
Keep in mind that for many older adults, accepting help at home can feel like letting go of freedom, and you may have to have several conversations before a solution is reached. At Live Well at Home, we’re on hand to partner with you and the senior you love to help make life not only safer, but more enjoyable and fulfilling as well. If you need home care assistance in Carmichael, call us today at 916-459-3220 or fill out our online contact form to discover more about how our in-home care services can help your loved one. View our full California home care service area here.