How to Talk to Your Parents About Home Care: A Guide for Brooklyn Families
Start the conversation with your parents at a time when your parents are calm and not feeling stressed. A calm environment creates a chance for both parties to communicate openly without fear of judgment.
Rather than beginning the conversation, “you need help,” begin the conversation by expressing concern for your parents’ safety and comfort at home.
For example, instead of saying, “I’ve been worried about you,” say “I’ve noticed that some things have gotten more difficult lately.” This keeps the focus on your parents’ comfort rather than criticizing their inability to complete tasks.
Supporting Independence
Many older adults do not wish to use home care due to fears that using these services will reduce their ability to live independently. Explain to your parents that home care is designed to assist them in maintaining their independence for as long as possible.
You can also tell them that a caregiver can provide them with the necessary support to perform daily tasks such as feeding, showering, etc., and still allow them to live at home where they are surrounded by people, places, and memories which bring them joy.
Sharing Concerns
Generalized statements can come off as criticisms. It’s better to share specific examples of issues you have observed. Express your concerns in a non-critical manner:
- Meal prep has become more difficult;
- They have missed taking their medications or attending scheduled appointments;
- Difficulty getting ready in the morning (bathing, dressing);
- Cluttered living areas or uncompleted laundry;
- Fear of falling or decreased ability to move around;
- Feeling lonely or disinterested in social events.
By sharing these types of observations, your parents will see that your intentions are genuine and based on a desire to help them maintain quality of life, rather than to limit their freedom.
Hearing Your Parent’s Worries
As mentioned earlier, there could be many reasons why your parent is hesitant to engage in home care. They may express concerns regarding their private space, the expense associated with hiring a caregiver, trust in hiring someone new, or a sense of discomfort with having a new person in their home.
Give your parents the opportunity to voice their worries. By listening actively, you will demonstrate to your parent that you respect their thoughts and feelings. Additionally, if your parents are provided with opportunities to address their worries prior to initiating home care services, they may be able to better receive home care services.
Example Response: “I understand why you might feel uncomfortable with the thought of having a new person in your home. However, we can start slow and work together to ensure you feel safe and comfortable.”
Involving Your Parent In Decisions Regarding Home Care Services
It is crucially important to involve your parent in decisions regarding the type of home care service he/she needs. You should ask him/her what type of assistance would be helpful. Would he/she benefit from support with meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, companionship, or personal care? When seniors are involved in planning home care services, they are generally more willing to participate in receiving those services.
Summer is typically a time of enjoyment for families in Brooklyn; however, it may present new challenges for many elderly individuals. Warmth, humidity, possible dehydration, and a reduction in mobility may all impact an individual's ability to perform daily functions. Some times these issues arise gradually. However, there will come a point when the small changes indicate a greater need for additional Support in the person's own home. Recognizing these indicators early on will allow Brooklyn families to avoid undue pressure and risk, as well as potentially unsafe conditions. Through non-medical home care in New York, seniors may live safely and independently in their own homes. Personal hygiene When an individual experiences a decrease in his/her level of cleanliness, this could be an indicator that they require more assistance. It is common for family members to observe that their elderly relatives are showering or bathing infrequently, wear the same clothing consistently, skip some aspects of grooming (i.e., brushing teeth), or look fatigued. These behaviors do not necessarily represent a refusal by the elder to receive assistance. Rather, he/she might be experiencing fatigue due to poor circulation and/or decreased strength, experience anxiety related to falling in the bathtub/shower, or simply lack the energy required to attend to everyday routines. An experienced caregiver may assist with bathing, dressing, grooming, and other forms of personal care while preserving the elder's self-respect. Difficulty maintaining home environment When an individual's household becomes increasingly disorganized, dirty dishes begin to accumulate, uncompleted laundry exists, spoiled food remains in the refrigerator, etc., it may signify that completing daily responsibilities is beyond their capability. During the warmest months, the heat increases the difficulty associated with performing most household chores. Experienced caregivers from Angel Care may help complete light housekeeping duties (including vacuuming/dusting), prepare meals, complete laundry, and perform other routine duties to create a safer and more comfortable environment within the home. Decrease in adequate nutrition/dehydration Elderly people may consume less food during warmer seasons because preparing meals may seem like too much work, or their appetites may fluctuate. Weight loss may occur along with a nearly depleted pantry/refrigerator containing expired food items. Additionally, family members may express concerns regarding a family member being weak. An added concern for the elderly population during the warmer months is dehydration. A caregiver may help to prepare healthy meals, ensure adequate consumption of fluids and encourage elderly individuals to drink regularly throughout the day. Memory loss and Confusion While occasional memory lapses are typical among aging individuals, repeated failure to take prescribed medications, fail to remember scheduled appointments, demonstrate Confusion and/or display risky behavior (such as leaving the stove unattended) necessitates intervention. Excessive temperatures and dehydration can exacerbate existing cognitive impairment. Companion care provided through our home care program assists seniors to maintain consistency in their daily routines (e.g., taking medications, attending appointments); eating/meals and drinking appropriately. Safety while walking/mobility If your elderly relative is demonstrating slower walking speeds, using furniture for balance/Support, avoiding stairways or exhibiting fear of falling, then he/she requires more Support. Falling is one of the leading causes of injury/death among seniors residing at home. Our caregivers may provide Support while helping seniors move safely around their homes, assisting them with transfers and accompanying them on short walks. We also offer Support during various daily activities. Withdrawal and emotional changes In addition to potential physical difficulties presented by summer months, Isolation may increase for some elderly individuals who either are unable to leave their residence or whose family members are occupied. If your elderly relative appears detached/inactive/sad/anxious/has little interest in conversing with others then possibly companionship would be beneficial. It is essential to understand that in-home care includes emotional Support/companionship as well as providing assistance with physical tasks. What does Angel Care offer? At Angel Care we provide supportive home care services for Brooklyn residents and those across New York state. Our caregivers assist seniors with daily tasks that can become challenging during the summer months: Bathing/dressing/grooming; Preparing meals/hydration reminders; Household cleaning/light laundry; Mobility assistance/fall prevention Support; Reminding them to take medications/routine Support; Emotional Support/conversation/companionship. If your elderly family member has developed additional needs this summer, obtaining Support early will likely result in significant benefits for both your family member and your entire family. Providing the right Support through home care will minimize stress created by caring for an elderly family member; increase safety; and enable your family member to remain as independent as possible at home. Angel Care offers Brooklyn families the Support needed to transition between independence and additional Support -- with compassion, respect and care you can rely upon.
