Being told you need assistance from a caregiver, even subtly, can be hard for anyone. Accepting caregiving services means acknowledging that you’re getting older, and few people enjoy being told they need to give up some of their independence.
Thus, having this conversation with your aging parents can be a challenge. Despite the fact that you’re bringing this discussion up out of concern and love for your parents, it doesn’t change the difficulty of them accepting that they need assistance from a caregiver.
To help you out, here are some tips and tactics for easing this conversation and slowly shifting your parents’ opinions on receiving caregiving help.
Bring it Up When the Time is Right
You can’t bring up the caregiving discussion at any time, given that it’s such a sensitive topic. You should especially avoid doing so when you’re irritated or frustrated, or if your parents are experiencing a medical issue (even though it seems like the right time to do so).
Remember: your parents may be feeling frustrated or angry, too. Bringing this up could make it even harder to persuade them in the future.
Instead, wait until all parties are in generally good spirits and relaxed. It’ll still be a tough discussion, but things are much easier if everyone’s in a positive mood.
Listen Intently
Parents are validly concerned that caregiving means you’ll simply ignore them and they’ll be resigned to a life of being told what to do.
It’s essential that you listen intently to any concerns they have about caregiving services and reassure them you’re trying to do what’s best for all of you — you’re not aiming to steal their independence from them.
Stay Positive
In a similar vein to the last point, focus on the positives when broaching this topic of conversation. Let your parents know that accepting caregiving services doesn’t mean they’re becoming wholly dependent on the caregiver.
Rather, the caregiver is simply providing assistance in certain tasks. In fact, the caregiver is more of a friend that makes sure your parents can maintain as much independence as possible over their lives.
Make it About You, Too
Caring for your aging parents on top of living your day-to-day life is tough, even if you have friends and family supporting you. You may have to convey this to your parents if they haven’t realized it yet.
However, that doesn’t mean to guilt-trip your parents into seeking caregiving. That will just harm your relationship and lead to other issues down the road.
Instead, per the last tip, stay positive. Show how an at-home caregiver will help you become less stressed while they continue to receive the at-home support they might need.
At VMT home health care, our home caregivers and home health professionals are highly skilled and can ensure your parents experience a seamless transition into caregiving services. We aim to allow your parents to enjoy their lives with as much independence as possible. Contact us today for more information about our services.
