Approaching the subject of home care isn’t always easy and it can be difficult to know where to start.
You may have noticed little changes in your loved one, such as increased short term memory loss or a reduction in independent mobility. These can be concerning, particularly if they live alone, and you might worry about how they’re coping with day-to-day life. That’s the perfect time to enlist some help from Bury Home Care – but how do you go about opening this kind of discussion?
Timing
Approaching the subject of home care is best done in a calm and relaxed setting – ideally your loved one’s own home. Choose a time when there aren’t any distractions and turn off the TV or radio so you can both focus on this important conversation. Also, be mindful that your loved one may not be immediately open to the idea of home care; independence is very important to them and often they feel this may be threatened by accepting help. You may also need to revisit the conversation on several occasions to give them time to think it over and discuss any reservations they may have.
Wording
Most people are fiercely independent and there aren’t many that like the thought of getting older. When speaking to your loved one, emphasise that help at home will promote their independence and support them in the small tasks that might be becoming a struggle. If they can sometimes forget to take important medication, we can be there to prompt at the right time. If your loved one struggles to stand for long enough to make a home cooked meal – we’re there for that too. Accepting help at home does not mean giving up independence but rather supports their welfare and means they can safely stay in their own home for longer.
Be Prepared
Before you sit with your loved one to discuss home care, it is important to have some knowledge of the options available to you. From a quick lunch call to a full care package, support plans should always be person-centred and tailored to the individual. To fully understand the support available, give us a call. We are always more than happy to talk you through any questions or concerns, whether that results in the use of our services or not. If you feel we can help by meeting with you and your loved one to chat about how we can help, that’s fine too.
Stay Respectful
We know that you have your loved one’s best interests at the heart of everything you do, and so do we. Be open and honest in your conversation about home care, and also be very careful to listen and respect the views and opinions of your loved one. Often, the decision to accept help is not an easy one. Giving your loved one the time and space to think things over is very important, and having someone new in the house to help out needs to be a decision they’re on board with for everyone’s benefit.
And Remember…
The most important thing to keep in mind is the safety and wellbeing of your loved one. Once they’re safe and well, your peace of mind is increased and everyone is happier.
Talk things through with us for impartial, knowledgeable advice with our experienced staff. We can be contacted by telephone on 01204 896196, mobile on 07970 757798 or via email at nurse@buryhomecare.co.uk. Please ask for Anne Riley, our manager and registered nurse with over 40 years nursing experience.
If you’d like to read more on the benefits of home care vs residential care, you can find that in the FAQ section of our website.