How to Discuss Hiring a Third-Party Caretaker With Adult Children You Live With
Living with an adult child can be an exciting experience for a senior parent. It presents an opportunity for the children to take care of their parents as the parents did to them when they were young. This also helps maintain and strengthen the parental bond and love. On the flip side, an adult child may not be able to adequately provide all the care a senior needs due to other responsibilities. At some point, seniors might need the services of a third-party caregiver. However, the conversation about hiring a third-party caregiver can be sensitive and uncomfortable. Parents may not know how to approach the subject as they don't want their adult children to feel as if they have failed in their responsibility to care for them.
Here are some tips on how seniors can bring up the conversation without feeling embarrassed or stressed.
Bring Up the Conversation Earlier
When figuring out how to talk to an adult child about hiring a third-party caregiver, seniors should not sound like they've already made the decision. That will make adult children feel uninvolved or like they have no control over the issue. Instead, seniors can bring up the topic as something they'd want in the future and ask for their adult children's opinions. That will allow for an in-depth discussion on the issue. Adult children will understand why their senior loved ones might need a care assistant.
A professional caregiver can help:
- Improve a senior's independence
- Take care of seniors at home where their children can see them instead of going to a senior living facility
- Keep them company when their adult children are at work
Explain Different Types of Home Care Services
One of the reasons why conversations about in-home senior care services can be a big issue is that adult children may not understand how the whole thing works. Seniors can invite a professional to explain the different in-home senior care options available and help agree on the ones that best serve their needs.
Below are the types of home care services available to seniors:
- Personal Care: Includes assistance with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, toileting, meal planning, as well as personal hygiene.
- Companion Care: This entails providing social interaction to seniors to avoid loneliness and boredom. The caregiver comes up with exciting activities such as playing games, gardening, assisting with pet care, and helping with hobbies.
- Chronic Disease Care: Care services to help seniors cope with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, dementia, stroke, heart disease, etc. It can involve meal planning, exercises, as well as medication reminders.
Suggest a Short-Term Trial Period
After a theoretical understanding of home care services, seniors can suggest hiring a third-party caregiver for a certain trial period. That way, the adult children will have practical experience with the care services. They can see how beneficial the services are to both the seniors and them as they'll have more time for their personal care and wellness. After the trial period ends, they can suggest what the caregiver can change or adjust to make everyone comfortable.
Seek the Services of Senior Helpers of Lexington Today
Are you looking for in-home senior care services in Cayce, Columbia, Irmo, Lexington, and West Columbia, SC? Contact Senior Helpers of Lexington for professional and devoted caregivers. We offer a wide range of home care services, including personal, companion, as well as chronic disease care.