While your mom admits she needs help, she’s nervous about having others assist her. Why is she so hesitant to arrange home care services when she needs them? What can you do about it?
She’s Afraid She’ll Lose Her Independence
Your mom’s biggest fear with home care services is that she loses her independence. That’s not the case. Her caregiver actually keeps her safe, which preserves her independence. If she were to fall and break a hip, that’s more likely to rob her of her independence.
She Doesn’t Want to Admit She’s Getting Older
Your mom hates the thought of getting older. She wants to retain her youthful ways. The best way to feel young at heart is by making sure she’s getting enough exercise, eating right, and seeing her doctor.
She Worries About Having to Rely on a Stranger
Your mom’s biggest fear is that she is going to have to depend on a stranger. It’s one thing to have to lean on family members, but strangers are different. She’s worried about what they’ll think of her. Caregivers have seen it all and aren’t going to think anything negative of her.
She Feels She’ll Get Bossed Around
Your mom is convinced that her caregiver is going to boss her around. She’s going to be told what to do, when to do it, and get scolded if she doesn’t. That’s not how home care works. Her caregiver is her employee. If she’s having difficulty accepting help, her caregiver can move to the next task until your mom is ready to complete the others.
She Has No Idea That Care Plans Are Customized to Her Needs
Your mom worries that she’s going to have a set plan. She loves to cook, but she worries that her caregiver will take over because meal preparation is on the list of services. Make sure she realizes that care plans are customized to her exact needs.
Before you even call a specialist in home care, go over the things your mom likes to do on her own. What does she need help to complete? The things she needs help with are the tasks she would have a caregiver help her with each week.
She Only Wants Family Members Helping
Your mom may only want you and other family members to help. You need to be honest with her. If you’re working 40 hours a week and don’t have time to clean her home and do the laundry after work, tell her.
Once you’ve reassured your mom that her independence and privacy are important to her caregiver, start gathering a list of questions. Ask your mom about the things she has a hard time completing on her own and schedule those home care services to ensure she has a helping hand.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Edina, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.
