Just because seniors want to age in place, that doesn’t mean they can do so seamlessly and without any hiccups. There are plenty of scenarios when seniors need some help but might not be terribly excited about that idea. What can family caregivers do when their aging adults are reluctant to accept assistance from senior home care providers?
Start from Empathy
Before offering solutions or trying to get seniors on board with the idea of elder care services, it’s important to start with empathy. There are many reasons it’s tough for seniors to accept help, including fear, loss of control, loss of independence, pride, and misconceptions about senior home care services. Understanding that before getting too deep can help family caregivers be more patient and understanding when the conversation gets tough.
Time the Conversation Right
Timing is everything with talks like this. If seniors are already upset or stressed out, this might not be the best time to have this talk. A better strategy is for family caregivers to look for a calm, neutral time to talk about senior home care and how it can help aging adults the most.
Be Mindful of Word Choices
Choosing the right words can also help. Positive, supportive language will always be more helpful in this conversation than focusing on what seniors can’t do any longer. Using ultimatums or forcing them to admit they need help won’t appear as helpful as family caregivers might intend.
Be Really Honest
That said, it’s never a good idea to lie to seniors about what’s happening or what senior home care can do for them. Sharing the benefits and good parts of home care and possible challenges is a well-rounded approach. For instance, as helpful as senior home care is, it can take a while to form a bond with professional caregivers and to feel a sense of trust. Seniors need to understand that.
Do a Trial Run
Having this conversation earlier means that families have a chance to experiment a bit. Offering a trial run allows seniors to try out senior home care services and see what they can do to help meet their needs. Seniors need to know that their opinions matter and that they do have a say in what happens.
Prioritize What Really Matters
In some cases, family caregivers may need to prioritize what really matters. There may be some things that just don’t go to plan or that take seniors more time to adjust. Instead of focusing on the negatives, family caregivers can get more mileage from letting seniors have more of a say in how this experience goes.
Getting past resistance to senior home care services may not be something that happens overnight. Following some of these tips and understanding what seniors need and want can help family caregivers to make choices that better support their recommendations. In the end, aging adults need to feel comfortable with this solution in order to give it a full and honest try.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care in Hastings, NE, please contact the caring staff at AmanaCare today. Call (402) 440-5878, for Central Nebraska Call 308-663-3828
AmanaCare Provides Senior Home Care Services in Lincoln, Kearney, Grand Island, North Platte, Hastings, Omaha, Columbus, Broken Bow, Scottsbluff, Norfol,k and surrounding areas.
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