Talking to your parents about aged care can be a difficult conversation. When we have parents that are stubborn, scared, or fiercely independent, it can be hard for them to accept they need some help. It also marks a changing point where you’re all forced to face the fact they are aging head on.
Home care can be a great option for those who need assistance with daily or weekly tasks but don’t want to (or need to) go into residential care yet. It can also be a less daunting option for your parents if they don’t like the idea of care.
If you’re thinking about speaking to your parents about aged care, this blog will help provide guidance on step by step aged care discussion and build your understanding of home care.
When Is The Right Time To Talk?
The discussion around aged care is an individual one and the right timing will depend on you and your family. In the best circumstances, you can start the conversation early so that it doesn’t come as a surprise. This could be when you first notice your parents struggling with small tasks, or even before then.
Unfortunately, we are not always able to take our time. If a parent has fallen ill or has injured themselves, it can be a very sudden shift from them being fully independent to needing extra support.
While the timing will differ depending on your individual circumstances, it’s important to remember that often the longer you put it off, the harder it becomes and the less input your parents will have in terms of their own care.
Understanding Home Care
Home care is a great option if you’re looking to support your elderly parents while they continue living in the comfort of their own home. It involves services that help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, cooking, and cleaning, as well as medical care if needed. The level of care can vary, so it can be tailored to your parents’ specific needs, whether they require basic assistance or more complex medical support. This is different from residential care, where they would move into a facility and live full-time.
With home care, your parents can stay in their familiar environment while receiving the help they need, offering them more independence and flexibility.
Your Guide To A Step By Step Aged Care Discussion
1. Start The Conversation Early
If you can, it can be a good idea to start the conversation about care before your parents need it. Understanding what they want for the future and what their ideal care situation looks like before it happens can take some pressure off you and make them feel more comfortable when the time arises.
2. Gently Voice Your Concerns
Gently and respectfully speak to your parents about any concerns you are having. Frame them as concerns for them, and not as questioning their abilities. For example, maintaining the house is overexerting themselves or tiring them out unnecessarily. Or that you’re concerned that you can’t help them out as much as you’d like.
3. Listen To Their Concerns
It’s important to acknowledge their thoughts and feelings and any concerns they may have about engaging an external support worker. Common concerns include having a stranger in their home or the cost of care.
4. Discuss The Practicalities
Have a practical discussion of what might change in their life if they don’t get some extra support and what might change if they do. There are likely going to be pros and cons for both. Also make it clear what the limit of your (and any other family of friends) capacity to help is.
5. Understand & Discuss The Financial Implications
The cost of in-home care is one of the biggest concerns for both parents and children, so it’s helpful to do some research before having the care discussion.
Aged care at home packages are available to some seniors to help cover the cost of in-home care and can be a good solution if you’re worried about the financial aspect of care.
6. Involve Them In The Next Steps
If they are able, it is important to include your parents in the care journey. From researching options to applying for home care packages to speaking to providers, they should have a say in each step. This allows them to feel in control and confident in the choices that are being made for their care.
Ensuring An Easy Transition
When it comes to how to talk to your parents about home care, the answer is always openly, collaboratively and with respect. Every situation is different and the reasons for needing care can vary drastically.
Often, finding the right care provider can make a huge difference in how comfortable your parents feel about engaging in care. When you partner with a provider that understands their needs, can be flexible with their services and can pair your parents with a care worker they like, the entire process becomes easier for everyone.
To
learn more on how to choose home care providers or get support with starting your home care journey, get in touch with People First Healthcare.
