How to Discuss Home Aid With Your Family

Life changes are difficult to cope with, and for senior citizens, the prospects of healthcare assistance can be both disruptive and intimidating. Many seniors fear losing their independence or having to leave their house behind to live in a retirement or nursing center. In-home care, however, provides families with assistance, while also affording greater independence for loved ones.

Big changes bring uncertainty, and often anxiety, so discussing treatment options, including in-home care, can be difficult. However, with a little knowledge and preparation, having meaningful, productive conversations is not as hard as it initially may seem. What follows are a few suggestions we think will help you.

Listen Before You Speak

Before talking, it’s important to first listen. Rather than trying to force an option upon family member(s), it’s best to discern the needs and wants of all involved parties. Loved ones may also have concerns, which should be heard, noted, and addressed. Once you understand their perspectives, it’s often much easier to find an acceptable solution.

For example, many older individuals fear losing their independence if they move into a retirement or nursing center. In such cases, in-home care may prove a better option as it allows folks to stay in the comfort of their own residence. Further, in-home assistance may reduce the risk of falls, nutrition issues, complications with medication, and more.

Unfortunately, many people end up in nursing homes due to injuries or other struggles. By mitigating risks, in-home care helps seniors live independently.

Start Discussing In-Home Assistance Early

It’s tempting to push off broaching a sensitive subject until you absolutely must confront it. Doing so, however, may prove unwise.

It’s best to discuss complicated issues, like hiring an in-home assistant, when needs aren’t pressing. This way, folks aren’t under pressure to make decisions right away and, instead, can slow down and think things through.

If you wait until a family member gets hurt or is otherwise in dire need of care, then you’ll have to make decisions while everyone is already experiencing a high level of stress. This can increase tensions and result in more difficult discussions.

Getting the conversation rolling early also offers more opportunities for input from the whole family.

Consider Starting Simple and Small

If your loved ones are hesitant about in-home aides, consider suggesting they dip their toes in the water before diving in fully. Instead of hiring a full-time assistant, you might arrange for someone to come by and do some light cleaning or simply cook a single meal per day.

Starting slow and with simple tasks reduces the risk of your family feeling overwhelmed and will provide vital time to adjust. Often, seniors and others in need of care quickly realize that in-home health assistants aren’t disruptive, but rather reduce hassles.

Talk With Experts

Discussing in-home assistance and other healthcare options can be difficult for everyone involved. If you have questions, or would like to learn more about how to better explain the benefits of various treatment options, it’s smart to talk with an expert.

Experience often yields meaningful insights, and by speaking with an in-home healthcare expert, you may be able to resolve concerns and discover the broader benefits. At StarPoint Home Care, our mission is to provide you with that crucial experience—and partner alongside you to find personalized home care solutions for you and your loved ones. We’d love to meet with you and answer any questions you may have. To learn more about us, or to request an in-home consultation, please visit us online or give us a call at 513-766-3339.