5 Ways to Sway Aging Relatives on Elder Care Assistance
Elder Care Fresno CA – 5 Ways to Sway Aging Relatives on Elder Care Assistance
It’s no surprise that most elderly adults really want to live in their own home for as long as they can. However, when they are no longer able to independently take care of themselves, they and other family members need to find a solution. One of the best ways for the elderly to age at home without jeopardizing their health and safety is to take advantage of elder care assistance programs.
Family members may quickly realize that their aging loved one is not very excited about elder care assistance. There are often many reasons for this, ranging from stubbornness and pride to fear and frustration. It’s not uncommon for an aging adult to refuse in-home care, which can leave family members frustrated.
Here are 5 suggestions on what family members can do to sway aging relatives on receiving elder care assistance:
1. Empathize
Often, aging adults simply want to be heard and understood. When family members take the time to listen to their concerns, problems are easily resolved. Many seniors have specific worries about home care and don’t trust family members to do what they prefer. When family members empathize with their aging relative and figure out their concerns, they’ll be in a better position to communicate. An elderly person’s preferences should definitely be respected.
2. Educate
Many seniors and their family members aren’t quite sure what in-home elder care really is or what their options are. It’s important to do research into different programs and service agencies in the area to get a full picture. By discovering the options together, family members and elderly adults can have a lot of discussions on what might work best.
3. Look at Finances
Sometimes seniors are worried about the financial impact of elder care assistance. Family members need to have a serious look at the elderly adult’s financial situation as well as what others can contribute and compare that to the costs associated with in-home care. In many cases, in-home care is more affordable than long-term living facilities. Having a clear financial picture often alleviates a lot of worry for elderly adults.
4. Mistrust
Elderly adults are comfortable in their own home, but that doesn’t mean they are excited to have strangers coming in and “interfering” with their life. They may also worry that someone will “report” them and they will have to go to a nursing home. Sometimes, outside care is a problem for them due to language or culture barriers. Elderly people may also have past experiences with outside help that didn’t end well. Family members need to go the extra mile to screen services and put procedures in place to build an elderly person’s confidence and trust.
5. Schedules
Family members can turn a lot of the decision making to the elderly relative. For example, they can help with setting the schedule and listing the areas that they need help with. They can help interview assistants and have some input into who they like best. When the elderly person knows who is coming and when, it can help them accept the outside caregiver.
Source: https://www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/info-07-2013/caregiving-aging-parents-jacobs.html