7 Tips For Introducing Home Care To Your Parents
Have you started noticing little things around your parents’ home that indicate they might be in need of help? If you’ve ever approached them on the subject, you know how difficult it can be. It’s hard for the both of you to accept that it may be time for a little help. Here are 7 ways you can start easing into it with a little conversation. 
1. Start discussing the different options with your parents early on. Don’t wait until its too late, and you have an immediate need. Instead, introduce a few simple services while your parents are still in relatively good health, and can help you make the decision.
2. Communicate clearly and with a purpose. Have your ideas planned out, and have responses to any questions or arguments you anticipate from your parents. Remember to stay as calm as possible, and allow some room for your parents to make choices. Their independence may feel threatened, so allow them some room to make their own choices.
3. Help your parents establish good documentation and record keeping skills. While your parents are in good health, it’s easier to accumulate everything into one central location. Have them pull together doctors records, insurance information, estate information, wills, living wills, investment and financial information. It may be difficult for them to share this information with you, but explain the necessity of having it together in one location.
4. Become a resource. If your parents are missing key pieces of information, or are unaware of some of the options available to them, become a resource. Supply them with community resources, forms for Medicare and Medicaid, long-term care insurance options, and financial planning resources.
5. Provide several options. Nobody likes to be told how to do something, especially your parents. They have always been there to provide for you; turning the tables can be a difficult moment. Instead, give them choices. They will feel more responsible and more accepting to the situation if they have had some choice in the matter.
6. Consistently evaluate the situation. If you have in-home are, its easier to make assessments. Communicate with your care manager regularly, and discuss your options. Also listen to your parents, and find out how they feel. Will simple adjustments make them happier? Sometimes small changes can make all the difference in the world.
7. Remember you aren’t alone. If you have family members near by, involve them in the decision making process. If that’s not an option, find local resources in your community to help. Many people face these same situations every day. Find support centers that can steer you in the right direction, and provide you with good reliable resources to help you through these changing times.
