If your parents are getting up there in years and still living on their own, it might be time to think about in-home care. Even if they're still able to take care of some of their needs, the additional help would alleviate some of the stress and make things easier for them. If they're extremely independent, they might be apprehensive about accepting in-home care. That's where you'll need to step in. Here are three steps you can take to help your parents agree to in-home care.
Start with the Small Issues
If your parents are strong, independent people, they may not think that they need help. Even if you see the problems, it might not be so easy to get them to see things the way that you do. Don't try to paint the whole picture all at once. Instead, start with the small issues. For instance, if your parents tire easily, it might be difficult for them to prepare their meals. Point out that an in-home care provider would be able to help them with their meal preparation.
If your parents are finding it difficult to keep their home as tidy as it once was, point out that in-home care assistants would be able to take care of the light housework for them. Once you show your parents how in-home care will help with the small issues, it will be easier to get them to agree to the additional assistance.
Start with One
If your parents make all of their decisions together, and one parent doesn't want assistance, it can be difficult to get them to agree to in-home care. That's when you have to work on one parent at a time. This is particularly important if health problems require one of your parents to do the bulk of the work around the house.
Try to point out how the in-home care would be of service to both of them. You could point out how in-home care would provide them with much-needed spare time that they could spend together. Getting one parent to agree will allow you to work together to convince the other one that in-home care would benefit them both.
Place the Emphasis on You
If you're worried about your parents, and their inability to care for their own needs, it might be time to let them know that. Your parents might not realize how their decision to refuse in-home care is affecting you. Sit down and explain how in-home care would relieve the stress that you experience when you worry about them.
Now that your parents are getting up there in years, it's time to get them the help they need. If your parents are less-than-thrilled about the idea of in-home care, use the tips provided here to help them see how the services would benefit them – and you.
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