Many of today’s seniors grew up during the Great Depression. They lived through a period of time when the nation was cutting corners and pinching pennies. Frugality was ingrained in many of them while very young and frequently remains firmly in place for a lifetime.
So what occurs when a senior is in need of care at home, has the financial capacity to pay for the care, but will not spend the money required for the cost of senior care?
First, empathize. Keep in mind that the person’s point of view is valid and determined by past life experiences. If the senior seems to be resistant to the notion of spending money for the care they need, remind yourself of the emotions behind the behaviors. An added layer of difficulty may be in simply accepting the need for care altogether, something that is far beyond mere frugality.
Spend some time shopping with the senior. Costs were far different years ago than they are today, for everything from a loaf of bread to a new car. In the event the older adult hasn’t had the opportunity to go shopping lately, go online to show them current pricing for a variety of items. Or check out this inflation calculator that shows you the value of $100 between one year and another. (For instance, $100 in 1950 is the equivalent of $1,153.54 today!) This will help if an older adult is experiencing “sticker shock” at the cost for care services.
Allow lots of time for discussions. The decision to accept home care services is a life-altering one which frequently requires more than one conversation. Engage in discussions with a frugal senior about the cost-cutting measures they’ve proudly adhered to over the years. Utilize these strengths to compromise if needed on covering the cost for care needs. For instance, it could be that rather than full-time care, the senior would accept a couple of hours of care each week for help with necessary tasks around the house. When the person is more comfortable with their caregiver and sees what a positive change home care makes, they may be more amenable to increasing services.
Additionally, it may be beneficial to enlist the help of a third party – someone the older adult respects and trusts, such as their attorney, religious leader, primary care physician, or a close friend. Engaging in a conversation with this particular individual in regards to the benefits to be gained through a home care assistant may help decrease any concerns about the cost of senior care.
When you’re ready to explore in-home help for seniors in Sooke or the nearby area, reach out to our home care experts online or at 250.950.8098. We will be happy to discuss options with you and help you find one that works best.