For someone who has lived six, seven, or even eight decades, seen so much of the world and worked their entire life to support a family and create a life that they love, suddenly being incapable of doing the simplest things can seem like a huge setback. Coming to terms with aging isn’t easy, and unfortunately not enough home care services talk about the psychological impact of using their services or how your parents will feel when they realize just how much help they need.
Depression and hopelessness are common among those who are negatively affected by their new limitations that come with age. Whether it’s from a degenerative condition, a sudden onset of illness, or even just the natural progression of life, it’s still a hard pill to swallow for many. Fortunately, when you choose the right home care services, you can trust that your parent’s emotional wellbeing will be as important as their physical care.
Home Care is a Start
Keeping people in their own homes as long as possible is ideal for their emotional wellbeing and their longevity. If someone feels like they “have to” go to a nursing home or be “put somewhere” because they can’t care for themselves, it can be discouraging. It can also create a lot of mixed feelings between family members, and even start feuds in serious cases. This is where home care can bridge the gap.
Provided that they don’t need any extensive care beyond basic hygiene and daily living tasks, a home care provider might be the best way to go. Having an assistant to help with the little things can make them seem like they’re not that serious, and help people stay focused on enjoying the life they have created.
Check in With Loved Ones
Even if you think that your parent or loved one is doing good with their new home care service or other assistance, don’t assume. Ask them how they’re doing. Find out what they like and don’t like. And most importantly, include them in the decision about the next moves, including whether they choose home care and what their assistant will be like.
If your loved one does not have the mental faculties to make these decisions, that’s another story. You’ll have to use your discretion to ensure that you’re doing everything in your power to keep them positive and hopeful, even if they don’t like the choices that are being made.
The right home care team will also check in with your loved ones and monitor their emotional health, as well as report to you if they notice any concerning or sudden changes in mood or behavior. This can help address issues sooner and ensure that people get all of the care that they need. Home care isn’t as expensive as some people might think, and it’s an investment well-made if you’re worried about the emotional or psychological wellbeing of your loved one.
