Staying at home and aging in place is something many seniors want to do, but they can be resistant to care from family members and professional caregivers. It can be challenging to convince a senior loved one who refuses help, but with a little patience, consideration, and assistance, family caregivers can ease the transition process. Here are some tips to use when addressing your loved one’s resistance to receiving home care.
Ask for Your Loved One’s Opinion
Seniors want to maintain some control over their lives, which includes choosing an in-home caregiver. Ask your loved one to participate in the search process, and have him or her sit in on the caregiver interviews. Encourage your loved one to give an honest opinion, and take his or her wishes into consideration. You should also ask for your loved one’s opinion if you are planning to provide the care yourself. For instance, ask what times your loved one would like you to come over and what tasks he or she needs assistance with.
If you are the primary caregiver for a senior family member and want additional assistance from a professional caregiver, Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of high-quality home care Roseville, is here to help. Our caregivers are available for a few hours a day to help seniors with daily tasks, and we also offer 24-hour live-in care for those who need more extensive assistance.
Determine the Reason for the Resistance
Find out why your loved one is resisting home care and try to develop a solution. Guilt, pride, and anger are some of the most common reasons seniors refuse home care. Your loved one might feel as though he or she is a burden and refuse assistance. Knowing what the issue is allows you to address it and reassure your loved one.
Explain the Benefits of Home Care
When seniors know what they will gain from home care, they may be open to accepting more help. Explain that home care allows your loved one to remain at home instead of moving into an assisted living facility, and he or she can continue enjoying the familiar surroundings, privacy, and schedules. The list of benefits should include things that appeal to your loved one’s current health needs.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving 24-hour care. Roseville Home Care Assistance are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
Remain Patient
Give your loved one some time to accept the transition to home care. Asking for help can be difficult for some seniors. Instead of demanding that your loved one rely on a home caregiver, give him or her time to become comfortable with the situation. You can start helping on a part-time basis, and eventually your loved one may be more open to having someone in the home to help with daily chores and activities.
Enlist the Help of Others
Make sure your siblings and close relatives are present when you discuss home care with your loved one. These individuals may be able to persuade your loved one to accept help from other family members as well as professionals. If your loved one trusts the opinions of his or her medical advisors, ask these individuals to help with the transition process.
Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to an assisted living facility. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading Roseville elderly home care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks. To schedule a free in-home consultation, give us a call at (916) 226-3737 today.