Accepting In Home Care

When those closest to you can no longer take care of themselves, you want to do your best to help them. And when your time and resources become scarce, the best way to help them is often in-home care.

Unfortunately, this is often easier said than done; many elderly people insist that they don't need or want in-home care. Consequently, those who care for them may not want to force the issue - even though delaying or denying in-home care can have serious health consequences.

Getting Older Loved Ones To Accept In-Home Care

Why do our older loved ones resist in-home care?

There are many reasons, but here are three of the biggest:

Loss Of Independence

We all want to maintain our independence and dignity, and this is especially true of our older loved ones - they become sensitive to being self-reliant as they begin to need help with more and more daily tasks. Help from you or other family members may be accepted, but introducing a "stranger" into the picture can increase feelings of lost independence to a new level.

Denial

Even when something becomes impossible to do without any help, your loved one may insist that it's not a problem, just so they can retain the idea that they don't need assistance. Your loved one could be reluctant to admit everyday tasks are getting more difficult.

Mistrust

Understandably, many older people have anxiety about letting someone they don't know into their home. Concerns about safety, comfort, and privacy all play a part in making the thought of in-home care seem frightening.

How can you get your older loved one to accept in-home care?

Getting in-home care is important, but it's also not something to force on your loved one, even if it is "for their own good". Instead, use tact and gentle persuasion to address all three of the biggest reasons for resistance:

• "You'll still be very independent."
  In-home care comes in many different levels, from a few hours a week to more intensive care. The caregiver doesn't have to be there all the time - especially at first, when your loved one is most sensitive about maintaining independence. This will help the elder feel that for the majority of the time, he or she is still not reliant on anyone.
  
  
• "We know that we can trust this person."
  Help your loved one understand that a good in-home care provider carefully screens all of their caregivers, including a thorough criminal background check. Tell your loved one that this extra care will actually keep them safer by allowing them to remain comfortably in their home, giving everyone peace of mind.