As your parents get older, they need a little more care and help than usual. Even during such times, it can be very difficult convincing them to accept in-home care. Sometimes, they may feel that it is not needed, and sometimes they may feel that it is an invasion of their privacy. Your parents value their independence and may not want someone else in their personal space.
Your parents may be reluctant but you know that home care is important to ensure their quality of life and happiness. So, how do you convince your parents? The following approaches should help:
1. Observe
Before you talk to your parents about home care, you should first know what kind of services they may need. How do you do that? For starters, observe your parents and their daily routine. Do they need help getting dressed or getting around? Are they unable to get the housework done? Do they forget to turn off the stove? By observing their daily routine you will be able to make a list of the services that would benefit your parents.
2. Patience
Be prepared for some resistance when you propose home care for your parents. Ensure that you listen patiently to their objections and concerns. You may not be able to convince your parents straightaway. Be patient and keep trying.
3. Reach out to your family members
If you are finding it difficult to single-handedly convince your parents, get other family members in the loop. You can contact your siblings, aunts, and uncles to discuss the healthcare needs of your parents and how to provide for them. You never know, one of them may be able to convince your parents to agree to home care.
4. Suggest a caregiver for household chores
If you suggest hiring a caregiver for personal assistance, you may get a lot of resistance. However, if you suggest hiring one only for household chores, they may be open to the idea. Once they develop a trusting relationship with the caregiver, you may suggest other services.
5. Suggest hiring a caregiver temporarily
You can suggest hiring a caregiver on a trial or temporary basis as respite care. Hiring a caregiver only for a short while may not seem as threatening to your parents. Once they get comfortable with the idea, you can convert it to a long-term commitment.
6. Be positive
Your parents may need extra help, but there still may be things that they can do on their own. Pointing those out could make your parents feel that they can still be independent with home care assistance.
7. Position it as a favor
Instead of making the conversation about helping your parents, position it as a favor instead. Tell them that with home care you will have greater peace of mind and handle your work and personal life better. When your parents feel that they are doing it for you, they may be more open to accepting home care.
8. Seek help from a professional
If you are still struggling to convince your parents, you should call upon a professional. Maybe your parents would listen to your family physician, a former home health nurse, or anyone in the medical field.
9. Give an ultimatum
If your parents are being unreasonable, you may have no other option but to give them an ultimatum. It may seem harsh but you have to let them know that staying at home without home care assistance is not an option. There could be fall risks, fire risks, and many other risks that could jeopardize their health.
10. Start small
Let your parents test the waters by starting with small amounts of care. Once they build a connection with the caregiver, you may opt for more extensive services. The idea is to make your parents realize that getting professional help makes their quality of life better.
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