When the topic of home care assistance first comes up for families with aging adults, seniors might not be as excited about the idea as family caregivers might expect them to be. Even when they know they need a little bit of extra help, it can be scary to confront the reality of having someone there in their home. Understanding what’s behind all of this can help family caregivers make this situation easier for seniors to adjust to.

Understand Their Concerns

Each senior has different concerns when it comes to considering elderly care, but there are some common worries that are likely to pop up. Seniors might worry that they won’t have privacy, for instance. Or they might worry that because they’re getting some assistance, they’re no longer going to have their independence. Getting to the root of the problem allows family caregivers to fully address what’s going to happen.

Get Their Buy-in on Decisions

If family caregivers are making decisions about home care without really including seniors, the situation isn’t going to be an easy one. Seniors need to have some control over the decisions that directly impact their lives. When they know that they have a say in what happens, that can be incredibly reassuring for seniors.

Go Slowly

Starting early with home care assistance also allows families to go slowly and adjust over time. For instance, seniors might dip their toe in home care before they need hands-on assistance by spending time with companion caregivers. That can gradually lead to home care providers assisting with tasks like laundry and meal preparation. Over time, that can change to adapt to increasing needs.

List Out the Benefits

Seniors need to understand the benefits of home care assistance. They need to know that home care providers are there to help them be more comfortable and safe in their homes. They also need to know that caregivers are there to ensure they’re able to meet their goals, like aging in place for as long as they want to keep doing so.

Build Trust in the Process

When seniors trust the process and build trust in the relationships they experience with home care providers, the experience goes better overall. Trust is something that builds over time and with positive experiences. Consistency helps, as does ensuring that seniors have choices all along the way.

Offer Support and Reassurance

Adjusting to any big changes is difficult to do. Seniors need to know that family caregivers will be there to offer support and reassurance along the way. Families need to continue listening to concerns so that they can keep finding solutions as necessary. Staying involved reassures aging adults that they’re not alone in this situation.

Feeling comfortable with home care assistance happens quickly for some seniors but takes more time for others. Neither scenario is right or wrong, it’s just different. Every seniors’ needs and experiences are different, so it’s important that family caregivers give them time to adapt to this new normal in their everyday lives.

If you are considering home care assistance in The Heights, TX for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.

At Your Side Home Care, provides exceptional home care assistance for seniors and families in Houston, West Houston, Katy, Memorial, The Heights, Spring Valley, Garden Oaks, Hunters Creek, River Oaks, Hilshire Village, Galleria, Cinco Ranch, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Piney Point, Bay City and surrounding areas.

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Donna Wrabel, LMSW

Co-Owner at At Your Side Home Care

For most of us, the word "home" evokes warm feelings of comfort, security and well-being. For older adults, home also means holding tight to cherished memories and maintaining self-esteem and independence. When illness, injury or age make life a little more challenging, remaining at home in a comfortable, familiar environment encourages recovery and enhances the quality of life. Home can be defined as a private residence, an independent or assisted living facility or even a short term stay in the hospital, we recognize the additional benefits provided by a personal, professional assistant.

Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.

Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week

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