Home Care Expert Tips: When a Senior Resists Home Care Services

Find tips for seniors who resist home care services.

Getting used to the reality that a senior you love needs help at home can be challenging. Even more difficult is talking about home care services with the senior and encouraging him or her to acknowledge that assistance is needed. If you have viewed changes in your loved one and you sense the need to initiate speaking about home care as a possibility to improve safety and independence in the home, try some of these conversation starters from the home care team at Hired Hands Homecare to raise the subject in a subtle, non-confrontational way.

If heightened frailty is growing to be a concern:

“I love you, Dad, and now that you’re living by yourself, I’m concerned about your safety. I know someone who can help us to make the house less dangerous and make it less difficult for you to get around and remain independent. Can I have her come over to have a conversation with us? It would put my mind at rest.”

If there’s a threat of falling or mobility has lessened:

“Ever since you fell recently, I’ve been nervous about it happening again. I know someone who can come over and give us tips on how to make the home safer and prevent falls from occurring. I’d love for us to get together and have a discussion with her and see what ideas she has for us.”

If diminishing cleanliness has become an issue:

“I’d love to have someone come over a couple of times each week to give you some help around the house. Let’s work together to find somebody you would feel at ease with. We can work with a professional agency to locate someone who shares the same interests as you so that you’ll not only have some help from time to time, but also a good friend to enjoy spending time with.”

When an older person can no longer safely drive:

“I know that being unable to drive and get out as much as you’re used to has been hard. If we hire a home care assistant for a couple of hours several times a week, you could get back to engaging in all the activities that you’ve been missing, like shopping, visiting friends, and running to the store.”

Keep in mind that, for many older adults, accepting help at home can feel like surrendering self-reliance, and you may have to have several discussions before a solution is reached. At Hired Hands Homecare, we’re here to partner with you and the senior you love to help make life not only safer, but more enjoyable and fulfilling as well. Give our home care experts a call today at (866) 940-4343 or fill out our online contact form to discover more about how our home care assistance in Santa Rosa & nearby areas can help your family.