Compassionate Approach to Discussing In-Home Care

By Sally Price, AmeriCare Franchisee in Northern CA, August 11, 2009

Discuss before hiring

When considering an in-home care provider, your parents should be a part of the discussion. Recognize that your parents may be experiencing tremendous amounts of fear once they realize that they are not functioning well on their own. They fear losing their freedom or their home. Respect their feelings and always approach the topic of in-home care with compassion.

Begin Slowly

Most elderly parents respond to in-home care by saying, “There’s really nothing for the caregiver to do.”

 Suggest they give the caregiver a try with basic housekeeping, such as laundry, changing bed linens and cleaning. Or the caregiver can perform errands such as grocery shopping or accompanying your parents to doctor appointments. Keep in mind that as the caregiver takes on these smaller tasks your parent will most likely begin to feel more comfortable trusting them with larger and perhaps more personal duties later. 

 Most importantly remember to reassure your parents that in-home care is NOT the beginning of the end, but an active step to prolong their ability to remain in their home. Having an in-home care provider is another form of preventative medicine. Like exercising or taking vitamins, in-home care can help your parent’s lead healthy, active, and happy lives.

Tags: care provider, caregiver, home care, in-home care, in-home care provider, parents

Posted in: Uncategorized