There is rarely a perfect time to bring up 24-hour home care. Families are often faced with a crisis – a fall, a wandering episode, or a frightening night – before the topic surfaces. But waiting for that crisis means the conversation happens under pressure when clear thinking is hardest and feelings of guilt and fear often exist. With this in mind, it is easy to see that starting the conversation early is best.
Recognizing Early Signs That More Help Is Needed
The body and mind send quiet signals that are worth paying attention to long before a situation becomes urgent. When an older person starts to forget to take their medications on time, leave the stove on, or have trouble taking care of their own hygiene, those are the moments that signal more support might be needed.
Other signs might be harder to detect, such as becoming more isolated, losing weight for no reason, or getting hurt often, but they can be tracked if families know what to look for. Ultimately, the sooner families start talking about 24-hour home care, the more involved their loved one can be in making decisions.
Why It’s Almost Always Better to Do It Sooner
When 24-hour home care is discussed well before it becomes necessary, families gain something invaluable: time. Time to look into choices and visit the facilities or talk to people who provide in-home care. Time to figure out how much things will cost and assess finances, as well as time to let everyone get used to the idea.
On the other hand, when arrangements are suddenly made, it causes the senior to feel more anxious and resistant due to feeling they’ve lost control.
Who Should Be Involved in the Conversation
Whenever possible, the senior who will be receiving 24-hour home care should be included in the conversation. This ensures their preferences, fears, and values are addressed and respected. Additionally, family members who will also act as caregivers, a trusted doctor, or even a geriatric care manager can be included, depending on the senior’s needs. Getting an elder law attorney involved early on can also help families deal with financial and legal issues.
Starting Without Having All the Answers
Families sometimes put off the conversation about 24-hour home care because they don’t know what it would be like, where it would happen, or how it would be paid for. However, all that is needed for the conversation to begin is honesty. For instance, a good place to start might be to say what everyone already knows: “Things are changing, and we want to work together to make sure you’re safe and comfortable.” What matters most is that the conversation starts before the crisis, when everyone can still breathe, think, and make decisions together.
24-hour home care is a great way to ensure a loved one can safely remain in their home, but the conversation about this type of care needs to happen sooner rather than later to ensure everyone has time to process the plan. In doing so, it is better received and more tailored to the senior’s unique needs.
Sources:
https://www.uchealth.org/today/aging-parents-what-to-do-when-parents-need-more-care-than-you-can-provide/
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving/does-older-adult-your-life-need-help
If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-hour home care in Memorial, TX, for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (713) 231-5640.
At Your Side Home Care, provides exceptional home care assistance for seniors and families in Houston, West Houston, Katy, Memorial, The Heights, Spring Valley, Garden Oaks, Hunters Creek, River Oaks, Hilshire Village, Galleria, Cinco Ranch, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Piney Point, Bay City and surrounding areas.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week