When considering home care for your older parent or family member, their comfort is a major concern. For many older individuals, accepting home care can feel like admitting that they cannot fully care for themselves. As a caretaker supporting them, easing them into the idea of home care is often better than just hiring an aide. Below, we will discuss tips for easing your older loved one into home care.
Communicating Expectations When Easing Into Care
It is important to communicate what home care is going to be like for your loved one. Based on their care needs, budget, and other factors, home care may be different from case to case. Over time, their care needs may evolve and change. Be open to your loved one’s questions and concerns, and encourage them to communicate their boundaries.
Helping Maintain Independence
Often, older individuals feel that they will lose independence when hiring home care. You can help reassure your loved one that this isn’t the case. Overall, most older people do not lose their independence with home care. Rather, the aide is there to make your loved one safe and comfortable. The whole idea of home care is to maintain their independence, rather than being stuck in a nursing home.
Addressing Concerns When Easing Into Care
Your loved one will likely have questions and concerns. Easing your loved one into care likely means there will be some pushback. They need you to ensure that they will feel heard and that their needs will be met. When meeting with the home health aide in the beginning, encourage your loved one to voice any questions they have. Remind them that their home health aide is there to support them in their daily needs. Active communication throughout their home care is also important.
Working With Their Care Team
One way to help your loved one become comfortable with home care is to work closely with them. Communication and coordination with your loved one’s home health aide can help your loved one become more comfortable. You may also want to spend time with your loved one during the first few weeks of care while the aide is there. This can also help you feel more comfortable with the care they receive.
Safe Harbor Healthcare Services does not provide medical, healthcare, or financial advice via articles. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for medical advice.
Safe Harbor Healthcare Services has provided excellent home care on Staten Island since 1967. Our services help older individuals and the disabled live safely and independently; while giving their families the peace of mind they need. For more information contact us or call (718)-979-6900.
