Introducing Your Home Caregiver to Your Loved One

You may want to step in as your aging parent’s primary caregiver, only to realize it is a huge commitment and takes a lot of physical, mental, and emotional energy. You may want to enlist the help of an at-home care agency, but how do you bring up the topic with your mother or father? It may seem daunting, but by having an open conversation about the transition, you can reassure your parent it’s for their benefit as it will maximize their independence and safety, and they will be able to “age in place” at home rather than a nursing home.

Remember, though, that you should still listen to your loved one’s concerns. They may not be keen to the idea of a stranger taking care of them, but try to dig deeper when you discuss their reasons for rejecting the idea of a home caregiver – that way you can eliminate their fears. You can even involve your loved one in the process of choosing the home care services company and the caregiver themselves. Have a conversation about the qualities they want in a caregiver so you can make sure the personalities mesh well.

Your parent’s doctor may also be able to help convince them that home care services are like a necessary prescription for their health rather than a scary foray into the unknown. Most seniors respect their doctor’s opinions, and by having their medical go-ahead, your parent may be more likely to agree that home care services are a good idea for them. Another idea is proposing the idea as a trial run at the beginning where the caregiver will only be in the home for a few hours per week and choose respite care for a weekend or two to make a slow, soft introduction to your parent.

Remind your parent that the privilege of aging in place is an excellent way for them to spend their golden years in a setting they enjoy, and that the transition to having a home caregiver is less abrupt than transitioning to life at an assisted living facility. After the initial awkwardness of introducing the topic of extra help at home from a home aide, you parent may embrace the idea and even learn to appreciate the role of the caregiver as they adjust to the idea.

To request homecare services for your elderly loved one, please contact At Home Healthcare by dialing (877) 959-9093.