Lots of caregivers run into a situation in which their aging family members need a lot of help, but only want to accept help from their caregivers. This can quickly turn into a dangerous situation for you if your family member feels this way because you’re going to be far more at risk for burnout.

Keep Trying

The first few times that you try to introduce another layer of help, it might not go as well as you hoped. The key is to keep trying. Let your senior know that these are trial periods and that how these scenarios go can be a determining factor in what happens later. Giving up is not the right option because that can encourage your senior that you might eventually stop trying altogether.

Look at Some Goals with Her

Something that might help is to go over your senior’s goals together with her. As she remembers what her current and future goals are, she may start to realize that having help from you as well as other sources, like elder care providers, can make those goals more achievable. For instance, if she’s determined to age in place, she’s more likely to be able to do that with as much help as possible.

Share What Help Can Do for You

Often aging family members don’t have a full grasp of what all you’re doing as a caregiver. She may know you’re busy, but she may not fully understand that you’re feeling spread entirely too thin. You may not want to worry her by letting her know what caregiving is like for you, but you may need to share at least a little bit for her to see that having assistance ensures that you’ll still be able to be there for her.

Talk about What This All Means

Keep the lines of communication open with your elderly family member. She needs to see how having help gives both of you a chance to enjoy this time together. If she still doesn’t understand why you and she both need more help, you might want to consider finding a therapist that you can talk to together. Hearing from a third party why you can’t keep going on alone might help.

Persistence might be what ultimately helps you to get through to your senior, especially if she’s determined to rely only on you. While that’s certainly flattering, it’s unrealistic to put all of that on you alone.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elderly Care in San Jose, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855

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andy@hcprosonline.com

CEO at HomeCare Professionals

Andy Howardis a Bay Area Native who holds a BA in Political Science (University of Colorado at Boulder, ’97). After college Andy worked in the surging tech industry.His Grandmother however, would suffer a significant decline in health and ultimately needed in-home care. The experience of a loved one depending on outside help to age in place proved to be pivotal for Andy as he left the tech industry in 2002 for an opportunity in the home care world with a large provider. After having success in home care, but being frustrated by corporate constraints Andy founded HomeCare Professionals in 2005.He methodically built the company one client at a time by focusing on hiring quality caregivers to ensure positive outcomes. Currently Andy serves as the CEO of HomeCare Professionals and is also highly active in the non-profit organization California Association of Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) which advocates for a higher standard of in-home care for those who wish to remain living at home in California.

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