How Do You Know When it’s Time for Care?

When a loved one is getting older, it can be very tempting to think that the best place for them is a nursing home. And in some cases, that might be the right answer for them and their unique needs. But this certainly doesn’t apply to everyone. There are many types of senior care out there, like the in-home care that we provide. However, many people actually benefit from aging in their own homes, even if they do not have a professional caregiver working with them around the clock.

 

Many believe that care should not be forced upon someone unless dementia is present. In this case, the opinion of the person who is in need would not be as reliable because their cognitive abilities would be impaired and they’d be unable to make good decisions on their own. Unfortunately, this is a situation that occurs a lot more often than should. The issue isn’t that families want their elderly loved one’s out of their home, but rather that they are concerned about their health. They want someone to be there in case something happens so that the proper steps can be taken to keep their loved one safe.

 

This can be one of the most difficult conversations, or even series of conversations, that you will ever have. Now, there’s no one piece of advice that I can give you that will apply to each and every situation. However, you need to remember that this isn’t just a hard conversation for you. Your mom or dad will probably struggle with this, too. They might even feel like they are being attacked and get defensive. It’s really important that you know that this is something that needs to be approached in a manner that will be calming and non-confrontational for your loved one. You know your parent, so be sure that you talk about this in a way that will not seem harmful to them.

 

Knowing when it’s time for a loved one to start senior care is a very personal and unique decision. The conversation with your parent can be tough.

 

Finally, remember that you are suggesting this for their benefit, not yours. Remind them of this fact gently. If they still don’t want to talk about it or they seem like they are being threatened, it will be very hard to have that conversation. Assure them that you just want to help, and let them know that the conversation can be had at another time. This might not seem ideal, but you do need to remember that happiness and contentment are a big part of health. Ensuring that they are happy with any decision that is made will go a long way toward achieving the best health for your loved one that’s possible.

 

This is always going to be a delicate situation. What’s best for one person is not always the best thing for another. You know your parent, and you know what their needs are. It is important that these things be taken into account when you are helping your loved one to make decisions about their care. Even if you do have power of attorney over a loved one, the specific situation that they are facing should be your determining factor, not their age.

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