Care Decisions: How Can You Talk to Your Senior about Care Decisions?

Care Decisions: Talking about decisions you’ve made or that you want to make about your senior’s care with her may feel like you’re both talking to brick walls.

What really needs to happen for your seniors’ care decisions isis that you make sure to approach these topics in a gentle way that is loving and kind. That doesn’t mean you’re always going to give in, but it does mean that you’re looking out for your senior’s emotional well-being, too.

Homecare in Shelter Island NY: Care Decisions

Avoid Being Confrontational, if Possible

How you approach these bigger conversations really does matter. If you can avoid making this talk one that feels confrontational for your senior, then you’ve got a better chance of getting where you want to go. Let her know that you love her and that you want the best for her. Avoid dictating care decisions to her and make sure to allow her choices whenever you possibly can.

Give Her Time and Space to Process Some Care Decisions

Sometimes these talks don’t get wrapped up all in one conversation. You may need to back off for a little bit and give your senior some time and space to process what you’ve talked about or what you’re planning to do. Try to put yourself in her shoes. How would you want to be approached about a big change in how your care decisions are handled?

Be Clear and Honest with Your Senior

Lying or obscuring some truths is never a good idea with your senior unless it absolutely cannot be helped. Therapeutic lying, often used with dementia patients, is one exception to that rule. Your aging family member needs to know what’s going on, because this is her life, after all. Sharing the truth with her is also a sign of respect.

Acknowledge Her Feelings and Her Needs

As you’re hearing from your senior, acknowledge how she’s feeling and what she’s telling you that she needs. You may even learn why she’s resistant to some of your plans or ideas, especially if she’s concerned that her needs won’t be met. This is an opportunity for you to make sure that what you’re planning is truly in her best interests and will do what you expect it to do.

Whether you and your senior are trying to iron out the details of home care decisions, trying to determine how to help her give up driving, or figuring out how to help her to eat healthy meals, these talks can be tough and crucial. It’s important that you go about them the right way.

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring Homecare in Shelter Island, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.