Talking to our loved ones about the possibility of senior home care can be one heck of an uncomfortable conversation. Your aging mom or dad wants to age in place, and you want to help them achieve that goal safely.
1. Consider the tone of the conversation you want to have.
While your concern for your senior is surely well-intended, the conversation can take a quick turn for the worse if your suggestion is misinterpreted. Take care to communicate that your suggestion comes from a place of love.
It’s important to remember that “the conversation” about senior home care is really a series of smaller conversations. Negotiation may play a large roll, so stay open-minded. The stated goal is to age in place safely, and there are many different paths that can help achieve that goal.
2. Create a unified front.
Talk to your siblings to create a unified front before starting the conversation with your senior parents. It's a bad idea to bring up the subject without knowing where the important decision-makers stand.
3. Seek professional expertise.
Many people find that consulting a geriatric care manager or an eldercare lawyer before beginning the conversation to be incredibly helpful. Professionals who specialize in aging and senior ussues can help you determine if your loved one is eligible for Medicaid, help you find tax credits for hiring senior home care, and answer your more complicated inquiries.
