Why a Senior May Resist Home Care – and How to Help

Accepting the need for help is rarely easy. It can make us feel vulnerable, inadequate, and fearful of the unknowns. As we grow older, fear may creep in that we may be losing the ability to continue living safely at home. Because of this fear, older adults may be especially reluctant to accept necessary help, to prove to themselves and others that they are still fully in control.

If you’re facing this challenge with a senior you love, Nightingale Home Care, the top providers of in-home care in Paradise Valley, AZ and nearby areas, has some helpful tips to explain why a senior may resist home care and how to help overcome the objections:

• Explain that home care is a preferable option over the alternate options for the senior, such as moving in with a family member, moving into a nursing home, etc. Home care empowers the senior to continue living where he or she is most comfortable and in control.
• Shift the focus to yourself. Let the senior know that while you understand he/she is very capable of self-sufficiency, having a caregiver in the home will help you to alleviate worries and reduce stress.
• Start with a trial run. Bring a caregiver in once a week for just a few hours to assist with light housekeeping, laundry, and meal preparation. When the senior realizes how beneficial these services are, and builds a rapport with the caregiver, you can gradually add on additional services and support as needed.
• Introduce the senior to the caregiver prior to the start of care to kick off a relationship, so that the caregiver is not regarded as a stranger. The caregiver can come for a companionship visit to simply chat with and get to know the senior, and as they discover similar interests, a bond may quickly form.
• If the senior is uncomfortable with the thought of having someone else in the home while he or she is there alone, consider having a family member there for the first few visits.
• Nightingale Homecare can help with choosing just the right caregiver who shares similar interests and character traits, such as a particular religious affiliation or pastimes, an outgoing or more reserved personality, someone who loves dogs or cats, etc. This will make the relationship with the caregiver feel more like a friendship.

At Nightingale Homecare, we’re here to help you work through this challenging time with the senior you love and come up with just the right care plan. Whether the need is for just a few hours of care each week, 24/7, around-the-clock care, or anything in between, we will work hard to ensure a smooth and comfortable transition to meet all of the senior’s care needs while addressing any concerns.

We know how stressful it can be when a senior feels as though he or she is giving up freedom and control. Let us help restore peace of mind to both you and the senior you love. Our aging care team is comprised of compassionate, highly skilled experts who can enhance quality of life, safety, and comfort while honoring and respecting each senior’s need for independence. Contact us for a free in-home consultation to learn more!