Giving Options to Elders
When it was time to approach my mother about getting some help for her at home, I was so worried that telling her that she was getting too old to take care of herself would be devastating both to her and our relationship. I knew from previous conversations that the last thing my mom wanted was to end up stuck in a Rhode Island nursing home and assisted living facilities, so before I even brought up the subject, I did some research on what the options available in the area were. I came across professional in-home care as an option and immediately landed on it as the best choice; allowing my mother to maintain her lifestyle and independence while taking away some of the physical and emotional burden of struggling more and more with the care of a home and herself.
When I finally decided it was time to have the conversation, my mom was surprisingly receptive. I approached her saying that I felt that taking care of the home was getting to be too much for her, and I wanted to get her some help to take the stress away. I let her know that taking her away from her home was the last thing I’d suggest for her, because I wanted her to keep her life. Because she knew only her best interests were in mind, and because I’d clearly taken her specific needs and wants with regards to senior care into account, she agreed almost immediately. If I could suggest anything to another adult child trying to talk their loved one into accepting help, it’s to make sure you use the right approach that’s sensitive to the senior’s needs so you don’t insult or degrade them, and make it clear you’re making the suggestion to better their lives.
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Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.
