When you begin to notice the red flags that care at home is required for someone you love, it’s quite common for that person to resist the idea. After all, admitting the necessity for help isn’t easy, especially for an individual who values their privacy and independence. Yet what do you do when another member of the family is the one denying the need for care at home?
Why Would a Family Member Deny the Need for Care in the Home?
Denial is a coping mechanism utilized to guard against feelings of helplessness or concern about an upcoming change. Your family member may feel more comfortable sticking their head in the sand in order to maintain status quo. Or, they may not be as familiar with the day-to-day care of the senior as you are, so they are not seeing exactly the same concerns.
Whatever the cause for the denial, there are strategies that can help you see eye to eye and make certain the senior you both love receives the necessary care and support.
- Listen. Communication is a two-way street, so make sure to listen at least as much as you’re presenting your personal thoughts and concerns. Acknowledge and validate the person’s feelings. Try to the very best of your ability to keep the conversation calm and on an even keel, avoiding sarcasm, anger, and comments you could later regret.
- Educate. Instead of arguing from your own perspective, turn to trusted resources to validate your opinion. Research information on the progression of a particular health issue the individual is managing. Learn together about the challenges of growing older, the risks of senior falls, when it may be time to give up the car keys, etc., and utilize that education as the jumping-off point for a conversation on how best to ensure comfort and safety for the older adult.
- Reinforce. Bring in a professional third party to reinforce the many benefits of home care in your particular situation. Make a scheduled appointment to consult with the senior’s physician together. Sometimes, hearing firsthand information from a healthcare expert is all that is needed to help a family member denying the need for care at home to change their viewpoint.
Also, bear in mind that it may be useful to begin home care services gradually and build up to more services over time. For instance, Serenity Home Care can start with preparing meals, light housekeeping, and running errands or providing transportation initially. As the senior and caregiver form a bond of trust and companionship and the advantages of home care become more apparent, it’s then easy to add in more hours or extra care tasks, for example, help with bathing and personal care needs.
When you’re ready to explore home care for someone you love, we are here to speak with you and your family about options and to answer any questions you might have. We can address any concerns a family member is feeling about initiating home care services during a free consultation, right in the comfort of home.
Get in touch with Serenity Home Care at 250.590.8098 any time to find out more information or to get started.