You’ve noticed your dad has started to become more forgetful—he can’t seem to find his glasses, he accidentally left the front door wide open, and he hasn’t taken his blood pressure medication for a few days. On top of that, he’s having trouble doing daily chores and activities he once used to enjoy. You’ve recognized this as a sign of aging and have decided to enlist the help of a home care service. But what if your dad refuses to accept the help?

Refusing help is not uncommon. Many seniors feel that accepting outside help will:

  • Confirm that they can no longer take care of themselves
  • Take away their independence and privacy
  • Cost a lot of money

While these are all legitimate concerns, there are a few ways you can encourage your loved one to accept help and the very least, be open to the idea.

Discuss your limitations

Aging loved ones are often resistant to accepting help because they feel they can continue to do things on their own, or—if necessary—rely on you to help with a few things here and there. They may not realize how exhausting and tiring being a full-time caregiver can be. Explain that receiving help will not only benefit them, it will benefit you as well.

Reinforce the benefits

When introducing the idea of help, focus on the benefits that come with it—not the fact that your loved one is incapable of taking care of themselves. For instance, position the caregiver as a friend who will be around to do things with them, like putting together a puzzle, playing a game of chess, or going for a walk in the neighborhood. Then as your loved one grows more comfortable with the idea, you can discuss how the caregiver can help with more chores and activities.

Give your loved one choices

Allow them to help make decisions on the type of help they receive. Maybe the caregiver can come for three hours once a week on a day of their choosing.  Or, your loved one can use the Handivan to take them to the mall instead of you driving them.

Choose a reputable home care agency

Many caregivers are family members and friends willing to pitch in to help. While some families are able to spare enough time to share responsibilities, not everyone has that luxury. If you need to a hire an outside caregiver, choose a reputable home care agency. With many home care services available in Hawaii, it’s worthwhile to do your research. Inquire about assessments and rates and meet with caregivers to make sure you find  the right one for you and your family.

You might also like: 8 Questions to Ask Before Selecting a Home Care Provider

Home Care by ALTRES Medical was established with the goal of providing our community with a higher level of care and being a trusted aging-in-place resource. With over 17 years of experience in supplemental nurse staffing, we utilize our industry knowledge to ensure our clients receive the best care possible. To learn more about how our services can help your family, contact us.

Way to encourage your loved one to accept help
Way to encourage your loved one to accept help

You’ve noticed your dad has started to become more forgetful—he can’t seem to find his glasses, he accidentally left the front door wide open, and he hasn’t taken his blood pressure medication for a few days. On top of that, he’s having trouble doing daily chores and activities he once used to enjoy. You’ve recognized this as a sign of aging and have decided to enlist the help of a home care service. But what if your dad refuses to accept the help?

Refusing help is not uncommon. Many seniors feel that accepting outside help will:

  • Confirm that they can no longer take care of themselves
  • Take away their independence and privacy
  • Cost a lot of money

While these are all legitimate concerns, there are a few ways you can encourage your loved one to accept help and the very least, be open to the idea.

Discuss your limitations

Aging loved ones are often resistant to accepting help because they feel they can continue to do things on their own, or—if necessary—rely on you to help with a few things here and there. They may not realize how exhausting and tiring being a full-time caregiver can be. Explain that receiving help will not only benefit them, it will benefit you as well.

Reinforce the benefits

When introducing the idea of help, focus on the benefits that come with it—not the fact that your loved one is incapable of taking care of themselves. For instance, position the caregiver as a friend who will be around to do things with them, like putting together a puzzle, playing a game of chess, or going for a walk in the neighborhood. Then as your loved one grows more comfortable with the idea, you can discuss how the caregiver can help with more chores and activities.

Give your loved one choices

Allow them to help make decisions on the type of help they receive. Maybe the caregiver can come for three hours once a week on a day of their choosing.  Or, your loved one can use the Handivan to take them to the mall instead of you driving them.

Choose a reputable home care agency

Many caregivers are family members and friends willing to pitch in to help. While some families are able to spare enough time to share responsibilities, not everyone has that luxury. If you need to a hire an outside caregiver, choose a reputable home care agency. With many home care services available in Hawaii, it’s worthwhile to do your research. Inquire about assessments and rates and meet with caregivers to make sure you find  the right one for you and your family.

You might also like: 8 Questions to Ask Before Selecting a Home Care Provider

Home Care by ALTRES Medical was established with the goal of providing our community with a higher level of care and being a trusted aging-in-place resource. With over 17 years of experience in supplemental nurse staffing, we utilize our industry knowledge to ensure our clients receive the best care possible. To learn more about how our services can help your family, contact us.