As a family caregiver to your elderly loved one, you may be wondering what the best route is to care for them. If you are like so many other family caregivers, you want things done a certain way. However, the desire to do things in a manner that works for you, might come off as more controlling to your elderly loved one. If your elderly loved one feels like they are losing control of their own life and how they are living, it could lead to issues between the 2 of you. However, there are some ways that you can help your elderly loved one without taking control.
Offering Guidance and Advice
Senior Home Care Houston, TX: Tips for Family Caregivers
When you are trying to help your elderly loved one, do you just tell them how you want or think things should be? If so, you aren’t alone in this. However, there is another way that this can be handled without taking over everything. One of the things that you can do is to offer guidance and advice. Then, you can let your elderly loved one take it from there. For example, if your elderly loved one needs help with making meals, but they still want to eat things they like, maybe you could sit with them and make a list of meal ideas. Then, they can make the final decisions. If this is tough for you, you can always get senior home care providers to help with it.
Asking What They Need Help With
If you find yourself taking control of everything for your elderly loved one, it might be helpful to take a step back. Remind yourself that you want to be in control of your life and your elderly loved one likely wants the same thing. Yes, they are older and they need more help now. However, instead of taking over, it might be helpful to ask your elderly loved one what they need help with. They can even make a list of what they need assistance with. Then, you can help with the tasks you are capable of or want to do. You can have senior home care providers help with other tasks.
Have Respect
Your elderly loved one may need help now, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still a confident, independent person. It is likely very difficult for your elderly loved one to even accept help, especially if it pertains to their personal hygiene or taking care of their home. Do your best to remember this when you are caring for them. If you can remember this, it will help you to have more respect for your elderly loved one.
Conclusion
These are some of the ways that you can help your elderly loved one without taking control. Take some time to think about how you would feel if you were in the same position that your elderly loved one is in. That might also help you to let go a little bit.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Senior Home Care in Houston, TX please contact the caring staff at Modern Vintage Home Care today us today! (832) 662-8236
Sources
https://khn.org/news/a-late-life-surprise-taking-care-of-frail-aging-parents/
Modern Vintage Home Care
3 Sugar Creek Center Blvd #100
Sugar Land, Texas 77478
Phone: (832) 662-8236