Helping Your Mom Learn to Accept Help

It’s become clear that your mom needs help around the house. She’s forgetting to take her medications each day. Her doctor told her to stop driving and have someone with her when she takes walks. While the goal of in-home care is to ensure your mom maintains independence at home, she may see it as an invasion of her privacy.

She’s frustrated that she’s reached a point where she has to have someone else helping. How do you get her used to the idea of accepting help?

Talk About the Benefit She’s Going to Gain

Your mom’s biggest fear is going to be that the caregiver is there to take over. Make sure she knows that’s not the case. Talk about the benefits of in-home care services. Explain how the caregiver is going to do the things your mom cannot do anymore.

The more your mom knows about how the day will go, the easier it is for her to get used to having a caregiver stopping by. If you lay out a full day’s schedule, she’ll know what to expect. You could even do a trial run where another family member plays the role of a caregiver to help your mom see what it’s like.

Start Small

Don’t overwhelm your mom with hours of home care services starting out. Hire home care aides to help for a few hours each week. As your mom gets used to that, increase the number of hours gradually until she has all of the care services she needs to maintain her independence.

Be Present Without Being in the Way

For the first week or two, if you can work from your mom’s home, do so. Work in a closed-off den or bedroom. If the caregiver has questions you’re there to help out. If your mom is having a difficult moment, you’re available for moral support.

As your mom gets used to her caregiver, you can start leaving the home for a few hours. Start with an hour and work up to half a day. See how it goes and work your way up to a full day at the office.

Let Her Ask Questions

Your mom will have a lot of questions. Let her ask them. Even if you think the question is unnecessary, it matters to your mom. Make sure all of her questions are asked and answered to her satisfaction. If she has additional questions, ask them.

Trust in the In-Home Care Provider’s Experience

Listen to the tips your mom’s home care aide gives you. In-home care aides have experienced the anxiety and frustration that older adults experience when working with a caregiver for the first time. It’s not a new situation, and the in-home care aide is there to help her acclimate.

Source
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20010928/helping-elderly-live-at-home

If you are considering in-home care in Manhattan, NY, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts At Home of NYC today at 212-201-6139.