Helping our Aging Loved Ones Embrace In Home Care Support

A lot of people struggle to admit when they need help.  I know personally that I would rather figure things out on my own.  But imagine, living your entire life and being able to do everything you need to do without struggling.  For example, simple tasks like grocery shopping, taking the trash out, picking something off the floor, or cleaning your house.  These are simple everyday tasks that we complete and shouldn’t need help with.  But as we get older, it’s clear that our bodies can’t keep up with those daily tasks. 

Eventually, bending to pick something up off the floor becomes difficult, or walking in the grocery store becomes too tiring, but no one wants to admit to those things when we realize that we need help.  Something I have come to learn is that when an elderly person asks for help, it’s a big deal to them.  They realize that their age is catching up to them, and they can’t do things that were normal for them. 

This is why sometimes they can be difficult or upset when it’s time for them to need in home care support inside and outside of their house.  So, how can we better understand their feelings to help them be more comfortable with help?

Why do they tend to resist help?

Why Seniors Are Against In Home Care Support

Having to depend on someone else

There is only one way to say this: getting older can be scary.  Growing older leads to many changes, both emotional and physical.  Just having talks about having someone need to help them around the house and do things is scary because they view it as losing their independence. 

The roles between parents and children begin to swap

For decades, they were the ones who took care of the children.  But now, the roles begin to reverse, and they can’t do for their children like they could before.  Their minds will always view their children as kids. So, realizing that they will be the ones who need guidance and help is unsettling. 

Losing Control

The feeling of not being able to be in control of what is going on is hard.  Asking for help can feel like stepping back and having to watch instead of being able to be the one making decisions. 

These are factors for understanding what an elderly person can feel towards asking for and receiving help.  It’s important to remember these feelings when the time comes when you are looking for help for a loved one.  Having conversations that let them know that you understand how they feel is important. 

What do these conversations look like to get them to be open to receiving help?

Opening The Conversation On Elderly In Home Care Support

Letting them have control

Making it clear that they still have control over the help that they need is important.  Receiving help is just a form of support, not that they are being held back.  Make it known that the help is to make their lives easier. 

Staying positive and having empathy

Make it clear to your loved one that you care and understand their struggles.  Make it clear that you want them to be as healthy and happy as possible during the change. 

Ask for help from professionals

When talking about getting help, it’s great to work with experts.  Find a team that you can trust to help with your loved one.  Most of the time, professionals are the support system for an elderly person. 

Navigating the conversation about getting help for a loved one is challenging. It’s important to have them and keep in mind the feelings they may be experiencing about the change and receiving help. 

Moore Care in Baton Rouge stands ready to support families during this process. Our customizable caregiving services offer a compassionate and comprehensive approach, allowing elderly individuals to maintain their independence while prioritizing their safety. Contact Moore Care today to explore how our services can make a positive impact on your loved one’s life during this important transition.