When it’s time to consider home care
The conversation surrounding a need for home care can be challenging. Your loved one may be experiencing gradual changes in their capabilities, but may not notice, or want to deny their influence. Other times, there could be a specific instance that changes their situation and they now require additional assistance.
That increased care and support can become a hardship for others to take on. Regularly-scheduled help can let both the client and their family feel more secure and at ease. Convincing your loved one that it’s the right decision might be a sensitive discussion. We can suggest plenty of home care resources to prepare for this exchange.
Signs your loved one needs home care
There’s a wide variety of signs that your family member might be in need of home care. You know your loved one best, so your opinion is valuable in observing any changes in their behavior. Here’s a few common occurrences to look out for:
Trigger events
“Trigger events” are events that can impact your loved one’s life in a notable, marked way. These might range from medical incidents to shifts in regular behavior that relate to personal care.
A medical procedure or hospital stay that requires temporary care while recuperating
Forgetfulness outside of the home (forgetting where they are or how to get back home)
Low food options or overdue expiration dates on food
Loss of driver’s license and the freedom to transport themselves
A fall that results in reduced mobility or instability
New fear of being alone
Missing doses of prescribed medications
Changes in baseline health (decreasing eyesight, hearing, etc.)
Gradual changes
More subtle changes could also arise, and might spark concern as well. These differences could appear more gradually, but are still worth monitoring.
Poor hygienic or reduced attention to appearance (dressing or grooming habits)
Neglect of housekeeping towards their living space
Increased forgetfulness towards regular tasks
Avoiding social events, contact with others, or regular appointments
Aging can be an intimidating, even frightening experience. Getting older can bring a lot of changes, and some of them might threaten independence and regular habits. It’s not a surprise that your loved one might be stubborn or frustrated when it comes to accepting help. Keep in mind that you see a reason why home care is needed, and approach the conversation with positivity and understanding.
Discussing these signs
Working together
Remind your loved one that you’re looking out for their best interests, and your common goal is to keep them in their home for as long as safely possible. Share examples of differences you’ve seen in them, but be careful to avoid blame or accusatory language. Aging is a natural process of adjustments, and at different points in life, we all need different things.
Discuss how home care is a shared decision, and collaborate on what type of home care service would work best for them. Consider the available options together and how their wants and needs will be fulfilled. Making this a joint effort will give them a better feeling of control over the situation, so they don’t feel forced into something.
If your loved one does not want to receive outside help, it might be best to focus on small changes over time. Making minor adjustments to regularly-used rooms like the kitchen, bathrooms, or bedrooms can alleviate concerns about maneuvering in their living space. You can also ask other trusted friends to continue the conversation, so you’re not the only person discussing this with them. This might not be a one-and-done talk, so try to bring the topic up over time.
Planning ahead
If possible, it’s best to consider care options before they’re duly needed. Make decisions about potential situations while your loved one is able to do so. For example, if they have a health condition that might bring a decline in quality of life, consider when and how their needs might change.
Discuss what type of help they would consider, and what boundaries they would not want to cross. Costs of home care can be a factor too, so talk about financial planning over their later years. Approaching this exchange with a realistic yet understanding mindset can make these choices seem less daunting.
Additionally, come up with a shared list of important information or resources that you both feel would be useful in case of emergency.
Choosing the right home care agency
When the time comes to evaluate home care options, you want to go with a home care agency that prioritizes the health and well-being of your loved one. Home care is also a local decision, so finding a nearby option nearby makes for easier scheduling and better familiarity within your area.
For home care services in the greater Philadelphia area, LifeGiver is here to provide the right care for your loved one, as soon as it’s needed.
Our non-medical home care focuses on helping with daily activities and regular tasks to stay secure and healthy in the home. Sometimes, this can involve help with starting the day, or an overnight presence to ensure feeling safe at night. Other clients need care during a period of healing, and we can make improvements or modifications to a living space for day-to-day use. See what LifeGiver Home Care services could be your best option.
Our evaluation process
When we have a new home care case, we review the client’s background: including income, insurance, age, and general wellbeing or disability concerns. These answers are all taken into account to create a customized care plan to benefit the client’s quality of life. Our consultations are always free and don’t require any medical documentation. We also handle the next steps to set up care, including the qualification process with the state and any medical professionals.