It's a strange stage of life to reach when your parents are no longer caring for you. Instead, you begin to worry about their care.
Like taking care of your children, you worry if they are able to properly care for themselves and be safe at the same time.For many children that means sitting down with elderly parents and having difficult conversations about their care.
Do they need home healthcare support? Are they still okay to be living on their own? Are there health needs or concerns about safety? While it can feel uncomfortable to be in this reversed role with your parents and they might be resistant, conversations are necessary.
Read on to learn more about how to approach these touchy conversations.
1. Share a Similar Story
One way to ease into the conversation with your own parents about their home health needs might be to share an experience of someone you know. Discuss if they were prepared for their parents' needs and what kinds of decisions were made on their behalf.
This approach might create a natural segway for you to bring up the care your parents might need in the future.
2. Be Honest
While the conversations can be awkward and your parents resistant, it's best not to beat around the bush. You don't need to be blunt or unkind about their struggles. However, you do need to be honest. Explain your concerns in a straightforward manner. Be prepared for them to deny needing help or rebuffing the conversation. Share your observations and even how you might get the help that would help keep them in their home longer.
3. Take the Conversation Slowly
While this role reversal feels weird for you, it does for your parents too. Many parents are not used to their children talking with them about private matters involving their day-to-day care, hygiene, or health needs. Take your time with the conversation. Be prepared to bring it up and then return to it many times. The key is to start the conversation as early as possible. If you wait too long, their needs might be greater than allow them to stay in their own home.
4. Focus on Listening
Be prepared to listen more than you talk. Your parents will likely be resistant and have concerns. Nobody likes to imagine losing their sense of independence or facing the fact they need help. While you might have prepared how to talk with your parents. Also, be prepared to listen to them. Let them share their concerns and needs. You will probably make better progress if your parents feel like you are listening to them.
5. Ask Questions
The key to getting more information and opening a dialogue with your parents is to also ask questions. Ask them how they handle certain parts of their personal care. Ask about their day to day life. The more you can get them talking, the better the lines of communication will be. This makes the hard conversations easier to have.
Home Healthcare for Your Aging Parents
While the conversations you need to have with aging parents can be challenging, they are necessary. You want to ensure their safety and make sure their needs are being met. If they need home healthcare, then you want and need to know. Contact us today to get more information about our home services for your aging parents.