Caring for an aging parent who currently lives in their residence is not easy. That is never more true than when the parent has serious health issues that need frequent care. Despite what age a person is, it is not easy to give up self-reliance. That is why it is hard for children to talk to their aging parents about home care services. It is imperative to find ways to analyze care services with parents in a mild tone that does not feel threatening to them. Feelings of guilt- Children find it challenging to approach parents about
caregiver stress they have been experiencing since taking on the project. Children often feel remorseful over contemplating care for their parents because their parents brought them up and the children feel as though they are letting their parents down if they need to introduce home care. The answer for these issues may be to use respite care to come to the home and help for a short period of time. This will help test the waters to see how the parent adjusts to having in-home care. The parent may voluntarily engage in the offer of respite care to help in routine elder care. This can conveniently rid the children of a guilty feeling that is not necessary in the first place.
Facing it Head-On– Beating around the bush when intending to talk to an elderly parent about elder care will end in not talking about it at all. Have all the important information necessary to discuss to the parent what is entailed and all the good reasons that it is a wise decision to hire elder care. The info gathered should include cost as well as possible offers to cover the costs if insurance does not cover it. Many elderly people are on a fixed income and that is another thing that children should consider before communicating with their parents about respite care. Be soft but forthright when pursuing the topic.
Authenticity– The truth of a parent needing an in-home caregiver is very important to stress in the course of the conversation. Parents should be reminded that the children work full-time professions, have children to care for or everything else that raises caregiver stress levels. Stress results in bad communication skills and ultimately annoyance and bitterness over having to handle the extra job of caring for an elderly parent. When children take on the duty of caring for an ill parent, the rapport often suffers greatly because of the stress related trouble.
Concerns- Be open and genuine with the elderly parent when he or she has fears. The fears might seem like complaints or excuses, but they are real fears that the parent is feeling and should be addressed swiftly. Two of the main concerns the parent might have are cost and having someone in the home who is a stranger. Do not make claims that cannot be kept, but give advice gained by talking to a expert about it.
Adult children who are looking after of their elderly parents figure out early on that it is a daunting undertaking at best. There are duties involved in caring for an elderly parent that are tricky to handle. Children and parents should benefit each other when they can. There is a time to realize that an in-home caregiver is the best answer. Be prepared to take on the extra cost if the elderly parent cannot tackle the cost themselves. Some insurance companies will cover the cost in certain circumstances. Otherwise, arrangements have to be made financially if an in-home caregiver is the only resolution.
If you are looking for a caregiver in Voorhees NJ and the surrounding areas call and talk to us at Home to Stay Healthcare Solutions at either our Cherry Hill office at (856) 321-1500 OR our Red Bank office at (732) 820-9611.