Your senior loved one may be reluctant to accept help from you or others, fearing the loss of independence. Your loved one may also have a strong desire to not place a burden on family and friends and try to do everything without any help. You can reassure your loved one there’s nothing wrong with accepting assistance by trying a few of these tips.
Introduce Help Gradually
Transitional life stages can be difficult for many seniors, and it may take time for your loved one to adjust to aging. Give your loved one some time to fully accept the idea that he or she may need to receive help. Instead of introducing a lot of help all at once, introduce any changes little by little. Rather than trying to help your loved one with everything, focus on the tasks that seem most difficult for him or her to accomplish. Your loved one may become overwhelmed with too much help all at once and feel the threat of a loss of independence.
Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of respite care Barrie seniors can depend on.
Hire a Housekeeper
Your loved one may be more open to accepting extensive help in the future if a housekeeper is hired to take care of some light tasks around the home a few hours each week. The presence of a housekeeper can ease your loved one into the idea of having an actual caregiver in the home to help with tasks that may be becoming increasingly difficult to accomplish.
Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional in-home care seniors can trust and rely on.
Keep Communication Open
Reassure your loved one that his or her opinion matters when it comes to day-to-day events and the level of care he or she receives. Express your concern, but always make sure your loved one feels involved in any decisions regarding his or her care.
Use Encouragement Instead of Force
Remind your loved one that taking his or her medicine and eating properly can lead to feeling better and maintaining overall health. However, your loved one may not enjoy being told to take pills or when it’s time to eat. Instead, casually mention that healthy habits can be beneficial for the body and result in less need for assistance.
Some seniors may be more resistant to accepting help than others, but taking a positive and nonintrusive approach can help your loved one stay open-minded. You and your family may be the ones providing assistance, or you may want to consider hiring a professional caregiver.
When considering senior home care, Barrie, ON, families should make sure their senior loved ones have the resources they need to maintain their independence and remain healthy. Trusted in-home care professionals can assist seniors with daily tasks like cooking, bathing, and exercise, and they can also encourage them to focus on healthier lifestyle habits. Home Care Assistance can be your trusted partner when your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging. Call us today at 647-970-3803 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.