Help! My Loved One is Struggling, but Resists Home Care Services

by Richard Bitner January 1, 2018

written by Richard Bitner January 1, 2018

Help! My Loved One is Struggling, but Resists Home Care Services

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Discussing home care services with an aging loved one is difficult conversation – but it’s particularly difficult if your parent or relative is resistant to home care. As a leading home care services provider, Visiting Angels is more than familiar with seniors who initially resist a helping hand around the home. Help! My Loved One is Struggling, but Resists Home Care Services
When a relative continuously rejects home care services that could improve their quality of life and extend their years living in the comfort of home, there are a number of strategies that you can take with them. Most important of all is to have respectful conversations, carefully listening to and acknowledging your loved one’s points of view.

Strategies for Discussing Home Care Services

When discussing home care services with a resistant parent or relative, there are a number of strategies you can use to help your loved one see the benefits to home care services. Here are some strategies you may wish to use:

Plan for Multiple Conversations. It’s unlikely that you’ll change your loved one’s mind about home care services during your first talk. Plan ahead for a discussion that unfolds over several conversations.
Approach the Topic Sideways. If your loved one is resistant to home care services, start conversations on a different, but related note. For instance, if your parent or relative has age-related strength issues, ask them if there are any activities that you can give them a helping hand with.
Listen Carefully. Understanding where your loved one’s resistance to home care services is coming from is important. They might feel that home care services are a threat to their pride, security, or independence. Understanding their concerns makes it easier for you to seek solutions that overcome these worries.
Avoid “Crisis Conversations”. Emotions run high immediately after an accident or close call. Avoid bringing up home care immediately after an age-related incident. Instead, give your loved one time to process the event by waiting a few days.
Turn to Family. Family members can be helpful when you discuss home care services with your loved one. Privately voice your concerns with other members of your family and bring them into the fold during your conversations. However, be careful not to appear as if you are “ganging up” on your loved one.
Start Small. Even if you feel that your loved one could benefit from a full care plan, it may be best to start small. Having a caregiver stop by for a few hours once a week allows your loved one to take home care services for a kind of test drive. As they come to enjoy the benefits of home care services, they may ask you to expand their care plan.

Choosing a Home Care Services Provider

If your loved one agrees to home care services, it’s important to find a home care services provider who your loved one feels comfortable with. This means choosing the right company and the right caregiver.
While some home care services assign caregivers to clients on their own, others like Visiting Angels take a more flexible approach. To make seniors feel more at ease, the agency you choose should have caregivers meet with seniors and their families before starting care. That way, you can make sure the right fit exists before starting home care services.
Do you have a loved one who could benefit from home care services, but remains resistant to care? Contact your local Visiting Angels to learn more about our services and how we can help you ease your loved one into home care.