Knowing that someone needs support at home and getting them to accept that they need support can be a difficult conversation.
Taking steps in approaching the subject can help you all make a joint decision together, minimizing the stress or upset.
Initial Conversations
First, you need to pick the right time and place to bring up the discussion. Pick a time when you won’t feel rushed or be disturbed, and when your loved one is relaxed and in a safe environment.
Be prepared, research care options and have information and resources to hand.
Plan out what you want to say and open the conversation about being concerned about one area of their well-being such as their mobility or the cleanliness of their house, rather than jumping straight in with personal care options where you may scare them.
The first step is to talk with your loved one to find out what support at home they may need. Some people can feel negatively towards the idea of needing some support or of someone entering their home. Keep the conversation positive – word it as a benefit for them and about how this will help and improve their daily lives.
Avoid words such as care and carer and choose words like support and companion. People can be more open to having someone ‘help around the house’ rather than care for them. Getting them to be open to the idea of someone coming in is the first step.
Reassure your loved one that the decision is theirs and you are only here to help. Explain that this is just an initial conversation and you are exploring their options about extra support at home.
Suppose your loved one has a progressive condition such as Dementia. In such a case, patience is key. The discussions around deciding on care can take weeks and months. Helping your loved one to understand the reality of their situation and their need for support is often challenging, but will allow you time to get an idea of what tasks they might need support with, for example dressing, washing, medication and meal preparation.
After an initial conversation, you may wish to arrange a discussion with your local authority to decide on the level of care you or your relative may need. Alternatively, one of the Papillon Home Care team would be happy to meet with you to give you a free care assessment.
Benefits of care at home:
- A person’s home is often their safe bubble and can provide special memories. For some people, moving to a new environment may cause emotional stress and discomfort.
- There may be a support network nearby of friends and family and social aspects in the local community which they enjoy and benefit from.
- People tend to be more independent within their own home, the layout and location of items are familiar.
