Approaching the Subject of Home Care with Your Senior Loved One

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There comes a time when families must address their aging loved ones’ need for assistance at home, allowing them to enjoy their golden years safely and comfortably. Although having an open and honest conversation with your aging loved one about senior care is the best way to ensure the appropriate level of care is provided, seniors often meet the topic with resistance. Families should sit down and talk with their aging parents, but it’s not always an easy task. Some seniors may feel threatened and fear losing their independence. 

Look out for warning signs that may indicate an additional need for help at home. This is an easy way to start a conversation with your loved one about needing home care. A few common warning signs that indicate help may be needed include the following.

Unkempt Home

A messy home can indicate a senior no longer has the motivation, abilities, or mental capacity to perform the activities of daily living. Look for unwashed dishes, laundry piling up, and items not put in their proper places. Other problems that can easily be identified include an overstuffed mailbox and unpaid bills lying around the home.

One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide elderly home care. Turn to Home Care Assistance for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.

Lack of Food

When your loved one’s kitchen isn’t fully stocked, it could mean a variety of things. For instance, your loved one may not be able to drive to the grocery store for fresh food, or he or she may be unable to prepare meals safely. In some cases, memory loss may cause your parent to forget to eat altogether, indicating a more serious problem, such as the need for specialized dementia or Alzheimer’s care.

Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. Huntsville families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life.

Hygiene Issues

Not bathing regularly is a common warning sign that additional help is needed. Your loved one may no longer be able to perform personal care activities, or he or she may have a fear of slipping and falling in the bathroom. Whatever the reason, if your loved one seems to no longer care about hygiene, especially if it was something he or she took pride in before, additional help is likely necessary.

Starting the Discussion

When discussing any of these issues with your parent and broaching the subject of home care, keep the following points in mind: 

  • Be willing to negotiate specific changes in your parent’s living arrangements or routines, and offer to remain as directly involved as possible
  • Let your parent choose from among the available options so he or she can retain as much control over the situation as possible
  • Stress the fact that you’re having this conversation because you love him or her and want your parent and want his or her remaining years to be spent as happily and independently as possible

Hiring a compassionate professional in-home caregiver is one of the best ways to ensure your loved one enjoys a high quality of life. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality homecare. Huntsville families trust Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your loved one, call us at (256) 716-9940 today.

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