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Recognizing that an aging parent needs additional support to manage health and personal needs isn’t always easy, especially if they are worried about giving up their independence. Due to these concerns, it’s common for seniors to refuse home health care. If you’re in this situation, you may need to try a few different approaches to help your parent realize how at-home assistance can help improve their overall quality of life. Here are just a few strategies for helping your loved one open up to the idea.

How to Help a Parent Recognize the Benefits of Home Health Care

1. Ask Why

Rather than trying to guess what the problem is, the first—and easiest—thing to do is ask your parent directly why they aren’t interested. Once you know the reason for their resistance, you can adjust your strategy to address and alleviate their worries.

2. Involve Them in the Selection Process

home health careLeaving your parent out of the hiring process can make them feel like they have no choice in the matter. It may also make them feel uneasy that you’re entrusting a total stranger to take over their personal needs. To help them get past these feelings, invite your loved one to partake in the home aide selection process.

3. Make Your Relationship a Priority

When you’re the primary caregiver, your parent may feel like hiring a helping hand is a way for you to abandon them. That’s why it’s important to let your loved one know that you won’t disappear just because a home aide is coming into the picture. In fact, having additional support may alleviate the stress of your caregiving responsibilities and allow you to spend more quality time with your parent.  

4. Get a Doctor’s Opinion

If you can’t convince your loved one that extra assistance will improve their health, it may be time to visit a doctor. In addition to providing an outside opinion, physicians can help present evidence of specific medical conditions that could benefit from home health care.

5. Don’t Rush the Process

Adjusting to home care doesn’t happen overnight—especially if your parent has been used to living the same way for years. Rather than rushing the process, it may be more beneficial to request at-home care just a few times a week in the beginning. As your loved one gets more comfortable, increase the frequency of visits.

 

For the best experience with home health care, working with trustworthy professionals is critical. That’s why Lifetime Care in Rochester, NY, takes pride in helping families explore the many home elderly care options available in the Finger Lakes area. Backed by a lengthy history, this nonprofit agency will help you address your loved one’s medical and personal needs when referred by a physician for home care. Visit their website to learn more about how these caring professionals can help. To start exploring options, call a friendly specialist at (585) 214-1000.

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