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6060 Sunrise Vista Drive #1180, Citrus Heights, CA 95610
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Approaching the Subject of Home Care with Aging Parents

Comfort Keepers In-Home Care in Citrus Heights, California.

Approaching the Subject of Home Care with Aging Parents

It can be challenging to even think about our parents aging and needing extra support and medical care. It can be even more challenging to approach the subject of in-home health care - or any health care for that matter - with them. 

Many older adults regard home health care as a loss of their autonomy. While it's understandable that some would see it that way, choosing an in-home care provider might give a senior more independence than anything else! Whatever the reason for resistance from your parents, be it fearing the loss of autonomy or their perception that in-home care would make them a burden, it's a subject that should be approached with much patience, empathy, and perseverance.

Comfort Keepers is here to support you in supporting your parents as they age. That's why we've compiled some tips and considerations when the time comes to have the in-home care discussion with your aging parents. 



Actively listen to your parents 

A crucial part of any conversation, especially complicated ones such as this, is to genuinely and actively listen to the other person. Don't just listen to think of a response or wait for a gap in the conversation to tell them why you believe you're right and get your point across. 

Make sure you give your parents your undivided attention and listen to understand what they are saying. It's always tempting to interrupt and lead them back on track if they bring up anything that seems unrelated to the topic at hand. However, if you pay attention, you can see that a seemingly little detail points to a problem you weren't aware of. 


Suggest - don’t insist

Understand that although you are concerned for your parent's well-being, and you only want the best for them, they are their own autonomous person, and they have the right to make their own decisions. A sure-fire way to get anyone's back up in a difficult conversation is to come in with a superior attitude and speak as if you know best and what you say goes. 

When discussing the possibility of in-home health care with your aging parents, bring the idea up as a gentle suggestion rather than insisting that your parent needs the help. Discuss how you believe they deserve the specialized care and attention of an in-home assistant to make life at home more accessible and more enjoyable. Parents may be more amenable to the idea of in-home care if a home health caregiver is suggested as a luxury.

When you choose Comfort Keepers to be your parents' in-home caregiver, it certainly is as close to luxury as respite services get, with our compassionate caregivers and extensive array of services. 


Discuss the advantages of in-home health care

Rather than positioning the conversation around your parent's limitations and areas where they need assistance, center the discussion on the many benefits of in-home health care. When confronted with the thought of relinquishing independence, most aging parents would understandably become defensive. They are more likely to be open to the concept if you explain the benefits of home health care rather than the drawbacks or reasons they need it. 

In-home health care has many advantages over assisted living, one of which being the comfort of living at home and the retention of independence, which is one of the best benefits to discuss with aging parents. Most older persons want to age in their homes. In-home care is the best way to ensure that aging parents can do this, so centering the conversation on that and the variety of other benefits will be helpful in getting them to consider it.


Don’t go it alone

Involve siblings, family members your parent's trust and hold in high regard, and trusted friends of your parents in the conversation. If you have siblings, it certainly shouldn't be your responsibility to have this discussion alone. A doctor, a friend, or a member of their social circle may be able to explain the advantages of in-home care as well as the consequences of not receiving it on their lives and the lives of others around them. Your parents may feel more at ease sharing their concerns about becoming older and needing assistance with a doctor or someone their age.

Don't involve people unnecessarily and bombard your parents, intervention style - no one wants to be faced with multiple people discussing their need for assistance going about daily tasks. However, if there is someone that you believe your parents would listen to, it's not a bad idea to ask them what they think and request that they also speak to your aging parents about in-home care. 


Trial in-home care 

The saying "don't knock it till you try it" comes to mind in this case. Your aging parents may disregard the idea of in-home care services because they have a preconceived notion of it, or they believe it means they need the help. However, those ideas could change after experiencing what it's like for themselves. 

Discuss the possibility of trying in-home care for a month. For some, having a caregiver in their house daily may be a lot to adjust to, but respite care, or a short-term care assignment, may be the solution. It will allow your parents to experience what it's like to have in-home support while giving you some much-needed rest if you are the primary caregiver. Additionally, if your parents are having difficulty with a specific chore, such as driving to the store, they can hire in-home assistance for that task.

Reach out to Comfort Keepers to chat about trialing in-home care for your senior loved one in Citrus Heights. 


Be patient

As is the case with many difficult conversations, it's unlikely that you'll come to a resolution the first time you bring up the topic of in-home health care. Understand that it may take a fair amount of time between when the subject is first approached to when a decision is made, and be patient if that is the case. 

Rushing the conversation or pressuring your parents to make a decision quickly will likely not have the result you intended. If things get heated, or your parents don't want to talk about it - don't force the conversation. Pack it in and come back to it another time. You want what's best for your aging parents, and that won't necessarily be the easiest or quickest route. 




No parent likes the idea of needing assistance, and no child wants to approach conversations about bringing in outside help. However, it is a conversation that could save tremendous stress, time, and possibly even lives down the line. 

We provide expert, empathetic in-home care services in Citrus Heights and Carmichael, CA. Our “Comfort Keepers” are experts at delivering health care and general in-home assistance - and they do it with a team-based, compassionate approach so that you have peace of mind that your parent is both taken care of and respected. If you believe your aging parent may require in-home care in the Citrus Heights area, contact us for more information.