If your senior parent is living independently and you have noticed that their hygiene has been slipping they may need extra help with personal care tasks. Showering, getting dressed, brushing their teeth, and other hygiene tasks often get more difficult for seniors as they get older. Your mom or dad also may be skipping hygiene tasks because they are afraid of slipping and falling. Sometimes seniors don’t want to discuss any issues they are having with their children. So, if your mom or dad is having trouble with their hygiene they may not want to mention it to you. But there will be signs. If your mom or dad is looking unkempt, wearing the same clothes day after day, or looking like they’re not taking care of themselves you should talk to them about personal care at home services.
Personal care at home is professional home care that is focused on helping seniors safely complete hygiene tasks like showering, brushing their teeth, and changing their clothes. Personal care at home is a great way for your mom or dad to get the help they need while maintaining their dignity.
If you know that your mom or dad needs personal care at home, but they are not open to discussing getting personal care at home, use these tips to make a potentially awkward conversation about personal care easier:
Choose the Right Time and Place
Pick a quiet and comfortable setting where you and your parent can talk without distractions. Avoid bringing up the topic during stressful moments or when they are tired or upset. Instead, choose a time when they are relaxed and in a good mood. This will make them more open to listening and discussing the issue calmly.
Be Compassionate and Respectful
Your mom or dad may feel embarrassed, frustrated, or even afraid about needing help with hygiene tasks. It can make them feel very vulnerable too. Be compassionate and remember that you want to find solutions to help them, not embarrass them.
Let them know that you care about their feelings and that you are there to help. Use phrases like, “I want to make sure you’re safe and comfortable,” rather than, “You can’t take care of yourself anymore.” If they understand that personal care at home isn’t a punishment but a way to make life safer and easier they may be more open to it.
Focus on Their Needs and Concerns
Instead of just telling your senior parent what they need, ask them how they feel and what they are struggling with.
Ask your mom or dad if there are things that have become difficult for them or if they are struggling with things like brushing their teeth. This allows them to express their concerns and feel like they are part of the decision-making process.
Offer Solutions, Not Just Problems
If your mom or dad isn’t sure they need help with personal care, talk about it being a way to improve their quality of life rather than as a sign of weakness. For example, instead of saying, “You need help with bathing,” you can say, “A caregiver can help with small things so you can save your energy for the activities you enjoy.” Make it clear that personal care is about making life easier and more comfortable, not about taking away their independence.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home Services in Jackson TN, please get in touch with the caring staff at Senior Solutions Home Care. (731) 300-2300
Senior Solutions Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Jackson, Humboldt, Medina, Milan, Trenton, Brownsville, Madison County, and surrounding areas.
Over the years, we have expanded, providing service in all 95 counties throughout Tennessee, and we now have a growing presence in Georgia.
Senior Solutions is recognized as a top 5% independent agency and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These types of awards matter to us because they show growth in our goal of eventually touching a million lives. We’re excited to continue that growth and to touch even more families with our commitment to quality care!
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