How Can You Encourage an Aging Loved One to Accept Home Care?

It can be challenging when a senior loved one needs more support than you can provide but resists the idea of in-home care. This conversation is often emotional, but with patience and the right approach, you can help your loved one see the benefits and accept the help he or she needs.

Find the Root of the Resistance

Before you can address your loved one’s concerns, you need to understand them. Resistance often stems from specific fears or misconceptions. Is your loved one worried about losing independence? Does your loved one fear having a stranger in the home? Is there concern about the cost?

Sit down together in a comfortable setting and ask open-ended questions to encourage your loved one to share his or her feelings. You could say something like “I’ve noticed you’re hesitant about getting some help at home. Can you tell me what’s on your mind?” Listen actively without interrupting, and validate your loved one’s feelings to show you respect his or her perspective.

Frame It as a Way to Maintain Independence

Many seniors fear accepting help is the first step toward losing their autonomy and eventually moving into a nursing home. It’s important to frame in-home care as a tool that can help your loved one maintain independence for longer.

Explain that a caregiver can assist with difficult tasks like housekeeping, meal preparation, or medication reminders, which will free up energy to focus on the activities your loved one enjoys. In-home care can make the home safer by reducing the risk of falls or other accidents, allowing your loved one to continue living where he or she is most comfortable.

Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Senior Stride Home Care, a trusted provider of respite care Oshkosh seniors can depend on.

Involve Your Loved One in the Decision-Making Process

Giving your loved one a sense of control can significantly reduce resistance. Instead of presenting a final decision, involve your loved one in every step of the process.

Here are a few ways to do this:

• Research together – Look at different home care agencies online and review their services.

• Create a list of needs – Work together to identify the specific tasks where assistance would be most helpful.
• Interview caregivers – Allow your loved one to be part of the interview process to choose a caregiver he or she feels comfortable with.

When they feel like active participants rather than passive recipients of care, seniors are more likely to be open to the idea.

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 live-in care in Oshkosh. Senior Stride Home Care 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.

Start Small and Be Patient

If your loved one is still hesitant, suggest starting with a trial period or with minimal assistance. For example, you could arrange for a caregiver to come for just a few hours a week to help with light housekeeping or provide companionship.

This gradual approach allows your loved one to build a relationship with the caregiver and experience the benefits firsthand without feeling overwhelmed. Over time, as your loved one becomes more comfortable, you can gradually increase the level of care as needed. Remember this is a significant change, and patience is key to a successful transition.

The type of home care Oshkosh seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Senior Stride Home Care, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time. We are a trusted provider of respite and 24-hour care, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care for seniors. If you need professional home care for your loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Senior Stride Home Care today.