Discussing in-home care with your parents can be difficult as many seniors fear losing their independence. How do you know when it’s time to talk to your loved one about in-home care, and how should you go about doing it? The experts at Advanced Nursing & Home Support are here to help!
WHEN IS IT TIME TO TALK TO YOUR PARENT ABOUT IN-HOME CARE?
There are many signs that it’s time to have a difficult conversation with an elderly parent about the need for in-home care including:
- Recent close calls or accidents and a slow recovery — if your loved one has “close calls” where they have fallen or had an accident, that can be a sign that living alone is becoming a hazard—especially if their recovery is slow or difficult.
- Deteriorating health condition — if your loved one has a long-term health condition that is getting worse, it is often better if it is monitored by a professional.
- Noticeable weight changes — extreme weight changes, whether a gain or loss, are always a troubling sign when it comes to the health of a loved one. There could be serious conditions contributing to either. Weight loss could have triggers ranging from depression to cancer, while weight gain could be caused by dementia, diabetes, or other illnesses.
- Changes in personal hygiene — does your loved one have an unpleasant odor, or are they wearing abnormal or dirty clothing? Deteriorating personal hygiene is a major warning sign that your senior family member may require in-home care.
- Dangerous living conditions — an unclean, cluttered living environment is a big red flag. If your elderly parent is unable to care for their home and keep it in a safe condition, it’s important to seek the help of a professional.
When you visit a senior, you should check for these additional warning signs as they are other ways to tell your elderly parent need help:
- Reduced social interactions
- Large stacks of unopened mail, including bills
- Notices from credit card companies, lenders, or utilities
- Dents or other damage to their car (if your loved one still drives)
- Expired or unopened food
- Dead houseplants
- Pets that seem poorly tended
- Poor balance
HOW TO TALK WITH AN AGING PARENT ABOUT IN-HOME CARE
When you’re ready to talk to elderly parents about in-home care, it’s important to:
- List the advantages — talk about the advantages of in-home care. This service can help people remain in their homes longer. Caregivers can assist with cooking, can help prevent falls, provide companionship, and can watch for early signs of illness or worsening conditions.
- Make your concerns known — discuss the risks associated with NOT getting in-home care. These include higher rates of loneliness, illness and infection, slower recovery times, longer hospital stays, and more hospital readmissions.
- Stress their maintained independence — remind your loved one that with in-home care, they will still be able to stay at home and go about their daily life as normal, just with a little extra help from one of our trained caretakers or nurses.
- Set up an initial meeting with a care provider — this way your parent can meet the people who will be providing care in an environment they feel safe. Often, this will help mitigate any hostility or fear they may feel toward in-home care.
- Talk to a professional — give Advanced Nursing + Home Support a call to learn more about how to tell your elderly parent they need help. We can assist you with the best way to talk to your loved one based on their individual needs and personality.
CONTACT ADVANCED NURSING TO SCHEDULE AN IN-HOME CONSULTATION
Whether you’re in Maryland or the D.C. area, take the first step towards peace of mind and contact Advanced Nursing + Home Support today.
We’re committed to making seniors feel well-cared for and empowered in their everyday routines. We provide unparalleled service whether our clients require occasional in-home assistance and companion care, personal care, or daily skilled nursing care. Your loved one deserves the best care available, and our expert team can customize a plan to meet your loved one’s every need.
Our team of experienced, compassionate caregivers has the supportive staff available to keep our clients thriving no matter their challenges. Contact us online using the form in the sidebar or by phone at 240-283-4984 to schedule your free, in-home assessment and to discuss your individual case and the options available to you and your family.
