Once it has been decided that your loved one's health is compelling changes, what are your first steps?
You need to start a conversation in an honest way that some assistance is required. As aging parents become less able to care for themselves, family dynamics change. This role reversal can be difficult and you can get some push back. Although you need to have the conversation you do not want to cause more pain to your parents by making them feel like a child.
Many aging individuals do not want to leave their homes. It is a wonderful relief to know that although change and assistance is needed, a drastic physical move may not be necessary and certainly isn’t the only answer. The opportunity to have care in the home may very well be the best solution for everyone. Care in the home can answer these needs as you can have as little or as much care as you would like. This often eases the transition as well, as care can be introduced gradually if required.
This can be helpful, as at first there may be some denial that care is needed. Usually once care in the home is initiated, the person receiving the home care is quite content as things do not change too much all at one time.
The elderly person often takes delight in showing or telling their care provider how to cook certain things or how to do housekeeping their way.
In many ways having a caregiver gives the aging adult a feeling of being useful as they are able to impart some of their vast knowledge.