Most of us have elderly loved ones in our lives that we care about deeply, whether it’s a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle. But at some point, those elderly individuals usually require at least some caregiving assistance so they can continue aging in place. For reasons like pride and privacy many seniors are hesitant to accept help from an “outsider” like a professional caregiver. As their loved one, finding the right time and place to discuss the topic of home care can be challenging. Here are some tips to help the process go more smoothly.

Signs that a Senior Needs Help

According to AgingCare.com, these are some signs that your senior could use some assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs):

Physical and Mental Changes

  • Difficulty with walking, balance and mobility
  • Changes in mood or extreme mood swings
  • Sleeping too much
  • Unexplained cuts or bruises
  • Missing important appointments
  • Uncertainty and confusion while performing once-familiar tasks
  • Unexplained dents and scratches on their car
  • Forgetfulness, including not taking their medications as prescribed

Neglected Household Duties

  • Lack of fresh, healthy food in the fridge
  • Stacks of unopened mail
  • Stains on the furniture or carpet
  • Dirty laundry piling up
  • Unpaid bills, bounced checks and late notices
  • Utilities being turned off due to missed payments

Poor Personal Hygiene

  • Noticeable change in grooming habits
  • Strong urine smell in the house or on clothing
  • Unpleasant body odor

When your senior is showing several of these red flags their freedom and independence could be placed at risk unless they get some help. One of your options is convincing them to accept some professional help by bringing up the topic of home care.

Starting a Conversation About Home Care

Suspicion and denial are two barriers that will need to be overcome before your senior will even consider allowing a “stranger” in their home. Here’s how to get the home care conversation started:

Share your concerns

Respectfully speak to your loved one about some of the things you’ve observed, and why you’re concerned. Ask them if they could use a “personal assistant” around the home to help them clean, run errands, do laundry or cook. Also mention that getting an assistant will provide them with someone else to talk to when they’re feeling sad or lonely.

Involve others

If it’s a relative ask other family members to chime in, as hearing the same message from several people they trust might make a difference. Try discussing the topic as a group while at a family event like a birthday party or picnic. Other trusted “voices” your senior might listen to include a clergy member, their lawyer or elderly neighbors who already benefit from home care. A geriatric care manager can also do a full health assessment and provide a recommendation.

Sell the advantages

If your loved one has any physical limitations, like climbing stairs or driving, point out the advantages of having a personal assistant. When they are feeling lonely, mention the fact that having a companion around for a few hours each day might cheer them up. Most seniors don’t want to go into a nursing home, so discuss the advantages of paying by the hour for some home care versus a monthly lump sum if they’re forced to move into a long-term care facility.

If your senior is still hesitant, ask if they would be open to meeting with a potential personal assistant before making a final decision. If they agree, set up a meeting in their home by contacting a reputable licensed home care agency where they live.

An Extended Family in Your Senior’s Home

Once you’ve convinced your aging in place senior to consider home care, contact Seniors Prefer Homecare and we’ll handle the rest. As a fully licensed and insured agency, our highly skilled, compassionate caregivers love assisting seniors so they can keep living comfortably in place right where they want to be. While serving as an extended family in the home, our goal is maintaining your loved one’s quality of life with dignity and independence.

Our “cream of the crop” in-home services include companionship care, personal care, live-in care and even 24-hour care. To put your mind at ease, we have full-time RNs and social workers on staff. And, all our services can be individually combined into an affordable program that will accommodate any budget! To learn more about Seniors Prefer Homecare now, or to schedule a FREE in-home consultation with a case manager for a senior in Tuscaloosa or Huntsville, AL today, please visit: www.seniorspreferhomecare.com now!