The Costs of Aging in Place

Home Health Care allows

the elderly to age in place.

Image abandoning the place you’ve called home for the past 40 years, surrendering all your income and moving into a long-term care facility, a nursing home.  There you must share a room with a stranger, follow the facility’s schedule and spend the majority of your time alone or with nursing staff.  Of course this is a stereotype, many long term care facilities are lovely places, but this lonely scenario is what many older Americans fear to be waiting for them when they are too ill, injured or grow to frail to live independently. The majority of elderly are adamant that they do not want to end up in an institutional setting.  Today, with the rising costs of care, there is an increasing interest in home health care as an alternative to long term facilities.

Age in Place

Home Health Care provides health care and support services that can be received at home and is available for ill or disabled people of all ages.  The main goal of Home Health Care for the elderly and frail is to allow the individual to age in place.    Home Health services allow aging individuals to maintain their independence and remain comfortable in a familiar setting.  With Home Health Care, the aging can avoid moving to institutionalized long term care facilities.  Studies have shown that Home Health Care can actually improve the quality of care received and many times will reduce the need for hospitalization. 

Benefits of Home Health Care

With outcomes often as effective as care received in assisted living, rehabilitation and skilled nursing homes, Home Health Care brings a lot of benefits to those who use it.  Home Health Care providers get to really know their patients and families and can tailor their services to best meet the Client’s health care needs, finances and family preferences.  They can help families navigate the confusing web of health care resources and can effectively advocate the needs of their patients.  Another advantage is family is invited to become more involved and can participate in providing support and hands on care for their loved one.  In addition patient morale is often better at home and people tend to recover faster with less incidents and safety issues in a home setting.  Finally, there can be significant cost savings when using Home Health Care as there are no room and board costs compared to nursing home, rehabilitation centers and other institutional care settings.

Types of Home Health Care

There are two types of Home Health Care options available; Skilled Home Health Care and Non-Medical Home Health Care. 

Skilled Home Health Care is medical in nature and is used to provide skilled care or treatment or rehabilitation services to homebound patients.  This type of care is usually initiated by a physician and provided by a licensed medical professional such as an RN, LPN or Physical, Speech or Occupational Therapists.  Providers must follow specific federal guidelines and criteria regarding patient care.  Skilled Home Health Care providers are usually Medicare certified and can accept 3^rd party billing of health insurance which is great because out of pocket expenses range from $85 - $150/hour.

Non-Medical Home Health Care provided home services which are not considered to be skilled care but help the individual be safe and comfortable at home.  Services are usually initiated by social workers, family members or by the aging person in need.  Care is provided by trained Caregivers and CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants).  Providers can be licensed by the state but requirements vary state to state.  Non-Medical Home Health is usually an out of pocket expense and ranges from $20 - $30/hour in cost.  Non-Medical Home Health Care can be covered by Medicare if coupled with Skilled Home Health Care.  Long term care insurance policies as well Veterans Aid and Assistance benefits can be used to pay these Non-Medical services.

How they work together

Let’s work through a scenario to see how Skilled and Non-Medical Home Health Care work together.  Margaret is an 83 year old female who was hospitalized due to a fall.  She was released after 3 days in the hospital.  Upon her discharge, the physicians and social workers agreed that Margaret could not be home alone during her recovery even though she was expected to make a full recovery in time.  Margaret elected to use Home Health Care rather than move into an assisted living or stay at a skilled rehabilitation center. 

Skilled Home Health Care was set up to monitor Margaret’s recovery and ensure she would not have to be readmitted to the hospital.  Weekly, 30 minute RN visits were scheduled to check her vitals, medications and general health.  Physical Therapists visited her at home biweekly to work with Margaret on her walking and balance skills to prevent future falls.  Non-Medical Home Health Care was set up to visit Margaret twice a day.  A 4 hour AM and a 2 hour PM shift came daily to help with companionship, medication reminders, assistance with exercise routines, transfers, showering, toileting and dressing as well as household chores and meals.  Within a month Margaret no longer needed the Skilled Home Health Care which was discontinued.  She retained the Non-Medical Home Health Care long term but reduced the hours to only 3 per day.  Margaret’s combined use of the services cost her very little compared to moving into a facility to recover.  The fact that she retained the Non-Medical Home Health Care means that she will be able to remain at home in the future even as her care needs increase. 

www.homeaidhealthcare.com

www.prairiehomeassistedliving.com

Kate McCarthy is Director of Operations for HomeAid Health Care which provides services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and independent at home.  HomeAid is sister company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the physical, spiritual, mental and health needs of their residents since 1999.  Together the two companies provide comprehensive care for the elderly in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin.

Options of Elder Care

Know when it is time to get extra help 

and which type of care is appropriate 

for your loved one’s needs.

There is an awful lot to be said for an elderly person remaining at home as long as possible [1]. Home is familiar, its the place that holds a lot of treasured memories, and staying at home is key to retaining independence and feeling less like a 'burden' on family members (however inaccurate that feeling may be). However, there may well come a point when home is simply no longer a healthy, safe, or practical option. People who need medically intensive  round the clock care, or are unable to afford the assistance required to keep themselves safe and their homes running efficiently may well be better off if they receive care in a facility setting. This can be a hard decision to make, but there are a few pointers which may make choosing easier.

Struggling With ADLs and IADLs

'ADL' stands for Activities of Daily Living [5]. These activities include ambulation, bathing, continence, dressing and grooming, eating and toileting.  The ability to manage these activities is necessary to live independently.  IADL means Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and they include doing housework and laundry, shopping and preparing meals, managing medications, money and caring for pets, as well as other basic functions which supplement independent living. As people age they lose the ability to perform these activities as they used to.  Inability to perform ADLs and IADLs are usually the sign that assistance is necessary. Most elderly will maintain a degree of function with their ADLs and IADLs and can often still live quite happily in their own homes with a greater or lesser amount of outside assistance. However, when functionality of these activities drop significantly, then it's considered a sign that your loved one should make some changes so their care needs can be met on a more permanent and professional level.

Home Health Care Option

Staying at home for as long as possible is usually a very good idea. Many elderly prefer to stay at home and will refuse to move despite their need for increased daily care with their ADLs and IADLs.  Moving elderly people away from the comfort and familiarity of home can be very distressing, which in turn can affect their health. For such people, home health care is probably the best option. Home Health care can help your ageing loved one maintain their treasured independence and stay safe in the comfort of their own home. 

With home health care medically trained Caregivers come to the home and provide the individualized care that the elderly person needs. Home health care can be very flexible and provide as little as an occasional visit every two weeks to tidy up the house to round the clock care daily care.  In some cases with the help of home health care, it is possible to remain at home long term and receive appropriate care which includes hospice and end of life care.  The home health Caregiver forms a unique bond with their home patients and in many cases, become part of the family. The elderly person receiving care has dependable care that is tailored to their preferences.  Not only does this keep them feeling comfortable and safe at home, but it also allows them to maintain their independence which is indescribably valuable to the elderly.

Assisted Living Option

The hardest part of sending a parent or loved one to a facility setting can be persuading them that it's the right thing to do. Often they just don't want to go, and it's not unusual for distressing scenes to develop [3]. On these occasions, it may be a good idea to look at assisted living options. In most assisted living situations the facility is set up to feel like home.  The buildings have individual rooms which Residents can decorate with personal items from home.  There are common living areas which promote socialization among all the elderly who live there.  It may not be home, but assisted living facilities try to maintain a home-like atmosphere while providing the care that an elderly person needs. 

When looking at assisted living facility, also known as a CBRF, Community Based Residential Facility, it is best to remember that there are many types of facilities which offer different degrees of care.  It is wise to ask about the facility’s state classification to get a clear idea of what degree of care they are allowed to provide.  Some facilities provide limited care and assistance while others can provide full health care on site, including up to end of life care.  Choosing a facility according to its location and decor is often short sighted as your loved one’s care needs will increase and that may mean having to change facilities in the future. 

Nursing Home Option

If your loved one has an acute health condition, a nursing home may be the best option. When an elderly person requires care which isn't feasible to manage at home with home health care, or is beyond the scope of care for an assisted living facility, then a stay in a nursing home might be the best option. Typically a nursing home has a more institutional atmosphere as the focus in health care rather than just assisting with ADLs and IADLs. 

The bottom line is, if your loved one is seriously struggling to manage their ADLs and IADLs in their own home, and their quality of life is declining as a consequence, then it is time to start considering the various options.  Care solutions can be found in many locations, even at home, but matching the type of care to your loved one’s needs requires some thought and planning. Remember the goal is to ensure that your loved one is safe and can enjoy a rewarding quality of life no matter which option is chosen.  

www.homeaidhealthcare.com

www.prairiehomeassistedliving.com

Mel Higham is a writer and editor with a special interest in mental health and wellness.  As a guest writer for HomeAid Health Care’s Elder Topics, Mel brings her expertise to our audience.

HomeAid is sister company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the physical, spiritual, mental and health needs of their residents since 1999. Together the two companies provide comprehensive care for the elderly in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin.

[1] National Institute On Aging, "There's No Place Like Home - For Growing Old", 

[2] Council On The Ageing, Victoria, "The Voice of older people on Independence", 2009

[3] Carol Bradley Bursack, "Handling a Parent Who Doesn't Want to Live in A Nursing Home",AgingCare.com

[4] KwikMed, "20 Truly Exceptional Elderly Care Sites"

[5] PBS, "Checklist Of Activities Of Daily Living (ADL)"

[6] Alzheimer's Association, "Choosing a Care Facility"

Long Term Planning

Plan for the future and the costs of care.

It can be scary for today’s aging to consider the future.  The cost of care, whether it be bringing in assistance at home, moving into an assisted living facility or the health care costs of a nursing home, is overwhelmingly expensive.  Most everyone understands the need to plan for retirement but few people really understand they need to plan for the cost of long-term care. 

There are many reasons people avoid thinking about needing care in the future.  It is natural for all of us to sidestep dealing with difficult situations, especially when means having to picture ourselves in a position of needing major health care or daily assistance.  Yet the fact is that the majority of aging citizens in the USA today will need long term care during their care years.  Many Boomers are glossing over this fact and not realistically factoring costs as they plan for the future.  Here are some facts about health and long term care costs:

Boomers believe saving $50,000 is enough 

for health care needs during retirement.

Most Boomers believe Medicare will cover all their health care needs.  Medicare does pay for health care. Most dual income couples turning 65 in 2020 can expect about $499,000 in Medicare benefits.  Yet that is not usually enough. The current estimates show that a couple turning 65 today will pay, on average, an additional $220,000 out of pocket medical expenses before they die.  These costs include premiums, co-pays and deductibles for medical care.  In addition to the health care costs, two-thirds of those over 65 will also pay about $50,000 per spouse for long-term care needs, such as nursing home care, assisted living or professional assistance at home. 

Do the math.  Putting aside $50,000 for health care during the care years is just a drop in the bucket compared to what could be needed.  The Employee Benefit Research Institute estimates that a couple who has put aside $165,000 by the age of 65 will have a 50% chance of affording their lifetime medical costs.  Those who put aside $225,000 have a 75% change of being able to cover their medical costs.

Right now the best scenario for Boomers turning 65 is having $300,000 saved per couple to cover health care needs for the future. According to the Census Bureau the median net worth of the average couple at 65 is nowhere near that. 

Boomers believe that Medicare will pay for 

long-term support and services.

Medicare does not cover long-term support and service costs.  So costs for elderly housing, long term nursing care, assisted living, or Caregiver support at home will be out of pocket expenses.

Most Boomers fail to factor in how the costs of long-term support can drain saved wealth.  A long stay in a nursing home, the need to move to an assisted living facility or the long term use of home health aides can diminish savings very quickly.  For instance, the average household wealth of $120,000 can be reduced by half with just a six month stay in a nursing home. 

Most males over 65 will require about 2 years of long-term supports and services and most females require 3 years during their lifetimes, so these long term support and service costs are important to factor into financial planning.

Boomers don’t believe they need 

Long-Term Care Insurance.

Again thinking they can rely on Medicare and their health insurance, most Boomers try to avoid the additional expense of another insurance policy.  What isn’t clearly understood is that Medicare long term benefits often only cover the first 100 days of care, and in most cases the reason for the health care must be serious enough to warrant a 3 day stay in the hospital before Medicare even kicks in.  Health insurance can also be very limited as far as long term coverage.

Another common misconception is that if it all gets too expensive the Boomer can just go on Medicaid.  Medicaid is an entitlement program and is only for people who have very limited assets.  To qualify for Medicaid means spending down all assets to get to poverty level.  Most Boomers don’t realize that owning a house or car will completely disqualify them from this program.

The cost of care for today’s aging can be intimidating and overwhelming.  Careful and creative financial planning can make long term care a bit less scary.  Today’s Boomers need to actively start looking into long term insurance as well as reassess their financial plans for their retirement years.

www.homeaidhealthcare.com

www.prairiehomeassistedliving.com

Kate McCarthy is Director of Operations for HomeAid Health Care which provides services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and independent at home.  HomeAid is sister company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the physical, spiritual, mental and health needs of their residents since 1999.  Together the two companies provide comprehensive care for the elderly in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin.

Sources:

Why Baby Boomers Need to Get Real About Health And Long-Term Care Costs in Retirement.  Howard Gleckman. Forbes. 5/22/13.

InShare. Jan Zhdonova. 3/25/14.

photo credit a href=httpswww.flickr.comphotosoneworldgallery3003388845daystar297a via a href=httpphotopin.comphotopina a href=httpcreativecommons.orglicensesby2.0cca

Home Health Care

Most elderly want to stay at home

but are confused about

how Home Health Care can help.

Peter and Mary have lived in their home for over 40 years.  They have loved and cared for the house, the garden and the 4 children they raised there.  Now as they are aging and the children have grown and gone, they find it increasingly difficult to keep up the place.  Basic yard work and housekeeping isn’t being done and daily household chores like cooking and laundry are becoming a bit overwhelming.  Yet despite Peter’s troubles with walking and managing showers and Mary’s failing eyesight, they want to stay at home rather than move into an assisted living facility. They decided to get a Home Health Caregiver who will come and help them out a couple time a week.    

Most elderly and disabled prefer to stay at home and are choosing to use Home Health Care services to make that possible. Home Health Care is a practical and efficient way for individuals with health care or age related issues to get the services they need right in the convenience of their own home. 

There are two types of Home Health Care options, which can be confusing when someone is just starting to look into Home Health as a possible solution to their care needs.

Skilled (Medical) Home Health Care

Skilled or Medical Home Health Care is generally used to help someone get healthy at home. Skilled Home Health is usually recommended after a doctor’s visit or a hospital stay and the care is provided by medical professionals, such as a visiting RN or LPN.  Because the level of care being provided is skilled, the costs can be high.  Skilled Home Health Care is usually limited to just a few hours a week and assists with very specific needs.

With Skilled Home Health Care you can expect:

•   Skilled nursing
•  At-home physical therapy
•  Pain Management
• Caring for wounds
• Prescription management

Non-Medical Home Health Care

Non-Medical Home Health Care is about sustaining and maintaining a quality of life at home.  It is about preserving safety and independence at home for someone who might not be able to remain safe and independent on their own.  Many times the Caregivers who provide these services are Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA).  These services are a lot less expensive than the Skilled Home Health and can be used on a wider scale.  Often those who use Skilled Home Health Care will also have Non-Medical Home Health Care come to help with various tasks to keep the home running smoothly.

With Non-Medical Home Health Care you can expect:

•  Personal grooming services like bathing or assistance getting dressed
•  Ambulation services like assistance getting in and out of the bed/shower
• Medication reminders
• Alzheimer's or Dementia care
• Errands like grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions or transportation to appointments
• Housekeeping, laundry and cooking
• Companionship

Home Health Care Costs

Because both Medical and Non-Medical Home Health can get expensive, people wonder what payment options are available to help with the costs.  The cost of services will vary depending on where you live and the type of services needed.  It is a good idea to shop around and learn what services are provided.  Some Home Health Care agencies have sliding fee scales, and others charge on a per task basis and others provide a Caregiver who can assist with all cares needed at set hourly rate. Non-Medical Home Health Care services are usually paid for privately, but there are also some public and private funding sources.  Funding sources include the following:

•  Medicare
• Medicaid
• The Older Americans Act
• The Veterans’ Administration
• Private insurance

Home Health Care (Skilled or Non-Medical) is a great way to get the assistance needed without having to give up the family home and move into a facility.  As more and more people understand the options available with Home Health Care, it is bound to become a favorite option for families everywhere.

www.homeaidhealthcare.com

www.prairiehomeassistedliving.com

Kate McCarthy is Director of Operations for HomeAid Health Care which provides services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and independent at home.  HomeAid is sister company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the physical, spiritual, mental and health needs of their residents since 1999. Together the two companies provide comprehensive care for the elderly in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin.

What you need to know when you are the family Caregiver

Knowing what to expect can make it easier.

Providing care for an elderly loved one feels like the right thing to do.  Often family members grow into the role of Caregiver as their aging parents need more and more help.  A bit of yard work in the fall, help with spring cleaning, driving to doctor appointments and weekly trips to the supermarket are easy to accommodate and most families are happy to have the opportunity to help.   It is when the need for help becomes daily or reaches a point when your elderly loved one isn’t safe living on their own any longer, that families need to make some hard decisions.  Families will often slide into becoming their loved one’s full time Caregiver and then they find themselves providing care for their own young family and their aging parents. 

The Sandwich Generation

A term coined by Carol Abaya in the early 1990’s, the Sandwich Generation describes those in their 50s or 60s who are sandwiched providing care for their aging parents and their adult children and grandchildren. It is a challenging time period for these people as they have demands on their energy and resources from everyone in their family.  Many start out enthusiastic and excited about being able to give back to the one who had raised them, only to become burned out and bitterly disappointed at how their relationships, quality of life and energy levels have been destroyed.

For those who decide to take on the many responsibilities and demands of becoming the Caregiver for their aging loved ones, there are some basic tips which might make providing care easier

Know that you will have to make hard choices

Many don’t realize when they start out as family Caregivers that they are now have taken on the responsibility to make another person’s decisions.  Many times this makes the Caregiver the least favorite person in the family.  Having to decide on an endless list of health care issues, finances and quality of life decisions can be exhausting, but it is often compounded by your loved one not agreeing with what you think is best.  Siblings often add their 2 cents, making basic decisions a multi-leveled negotiation. Many elderly will resist getting input into major decisions believing their independence is being infringed on.  Often they are slow to consider the options and will put making any type of choice permanently on hold.  It is frustrating for those who provide care to be patient and respectful especially when deadlines are looming.

It is wise to have major decisions already determined before they become an issue.  Sit down with your aging loved one and discuss how they want their affairs handled long before they can no longer manage themselves.  Your loved ones can set up directives early which will take the pressure off of you to decide for them later in life.  Life is much easier when medical directives are in place, the will has been made, Power of Attorney for finances and health are set up and end-of-life choices have been decided.

Know that caring for an elderly parent is not like caring for a child

Remember that your aging loved one has lived an entire life before you even came into existence, so treating them as if they were another child is disrespectful and demeaning.  Expect there will be times when their behavior is as stubborn as a toddler’s, but do not respond as you would to a child.  Instead try to find out what is going on and give them the time to discuss their concerns and fears.  Do not expect your loved one to easily adapt to your schedule and ways of doing things.  They are probably pretty set in their ways and have every right to be so.  Also remember that they crave adult interaction and need to be included in your family’s normal life and activities, even if doing so requires a lot of extra effort on your part.  The last thing you want is to have them feel as if their presence is a burden and that they are isolated and lonely and just taking up space in your home.

Know that providing care can be uncomfortably embarrassing

Understand that as your loved ones continue to age, their need for assistance with personal care will increase.  This can cause embarrassment for both generations.  Helping with showering, dressing and toileting can be weird for the adult children of aging parents, but after a few times it will feel less awkward.  Trouble with incontinence and loss of body functions can make everyone cringe and for some it is just easier on relationships to have a professional Caregiver come in a couple times a week to help with personal cares.

Know that providing care will affect your other relationships

Being a Caregiver is a very demanding job.  It requires a servant’s heart at all times and usually without any recognition or thanks.  Most often it is the women in the family who take on this role in addition to all their other duties and responsibilities.  Being stretched to the limit, the family Caregiver will find relationships on all sides bearing the brunt of frustrations, exhaustion and weariness. Interaction between the aging parents and adult children can become strained, as well relationships with everyone else in the family.  People often imagine having multiple generations under the same roof will be wonderful, especially for the younger children.  They fail to realize that the aging have limited tolerance for noise and commotion and would prefer some space from the younger members of the family. 

Know that doctors are interested in prolonging life, not the quality of life

Doctors will be a primary source of information and help as your loved one’s health needs increase.  They are kind, caring and committed to your loved one’s well being, but their main concern is dealing with the physical concerns that prolong life.   This most likely will result in more and more prescriptions for medications, endless office visits and lots of tests.  As the family Caregiver, your job will be to facilitate the doctor orders, to manage the medications and interface between physicians.   It will fall on you to become your loved one’s advocate for health care concerns.  Yet your primary concern should be about making the final years and months comfortable and enjoyable.  Most elderly are far more concerned about quality of life over longevity and if often falls on the family Caregiver to ensure the quality of life through social interaction, conversation, easy projects and just being there to listen. 

Know that you will need help

Being a family Caregiver can be difficult and stressful, especially when providing care for an aging loved one is sandwiched in with all the other demands of life.  While in the midst of providing care, life can get so busy that it is difficult to see the toll that it takes on your energy, relationships and family.  Most families eventually realize that they need help.  Finding a professional Caregiver to come into the home a couple times a week makes an enormous difference.  Respite Care is another option that allows family Caregiver to get away and unwind. 

Families often naively believe that they can provide care for their aging loved ones with minimal stress or stain on their lives.  Since the end goal is enjoying a close and loving relationship with their aging loved ones, knowing what to expect can make it easier to avoid stressful problems for the entire family. 

www.homeaidhealthcare.com

www.prairiehomeassistedliving.com

Kate McCarthy is Director of Operations for HomeAid Health Care which provides services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and independent at home.  HomeAid is sister company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the physical, spiritual, mental and health needs of their residents since 1999.  Together the two companies provide comprehensive care for the elderly in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin.

Talking about Home Health Care

Having the conversation can be

upsetting to both generations

The holidays are over and you have enjoyed spending quality time with your loved ones.  During your visit you noticed that your mother was often confused and needed a lot more help than she did the last you were together. Doubt and worry about her ability to live alone are your constant companions now as it is obvious that her safety has become an issue.

While debating the possible options you realize that home health care would solve the problem. She could remain at home and have a professional Caregiver come daily to check on her, remind her to take her medications, and help out with the household chores.  The Caregiver could drive her to appointments, supervise showers and generally be there when you can’t.  You want to talk to her about bringing a home health Caregiver into the home, but dread starting a disagreement.

How to talk to your loved ones about getting help:

What to understand:

Most elderly take great pride in their independence.  The idea of having a Caregiver come to the home is embarrassing to them.  It is a sign that they cannot manage alone any longer.  Although they logically understand they will need help someday, most don’t believe that day is now.  Often introducing the use of home health as getting just “a little extra help” around the house is a more acceptable approach.  Mentioning that a Caregiver will do the cleaning and help with the laundry makes the use of outside help a little less threatening.  Once your aging loved one is used to having someone come into the home and that Caregiver has becomes a familiar companion, accepting help from them in other areas is not such an issue.  Typically home health Caregivers provide a wide range of services including housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, medication reminders, help with personal cares and transportation.  A good Caregiver never infringes on their Client’s independence but works in the background to help when needed.

How to start:

Start a general conversation and be very tactful.  Raise questions about the care of the house.  Just remarking that it must be difficult keeping up such a large place could guide the conversation along the right track.  Most elderly are well aware that the care of the home may be slipping.  Avoid statements that can cause your loved one to become defensive.  Instead, ask if there is anything you can do to help.  If there is a lot of resistance to just talking about it, you might want to wait a bit to mention the idea of home care.  Gently mention your concerns and ask what possible solutions might be considered.  Ask for her ideas of what they would like to do. 

Avoid Elder Speak:  

Your parents are not your children and will not respond well if you speak to them in a   controlling manner. You may be convinced you have found the solution, but announcing what you have decided is disrespectful and will hinder the entire process.  The last thing you want is your loved one to react negatively to your decision and that may taint relationships with you and any Caregiver who comes to the house.  Don’t dictate what needs to happen, but allow your loved one to see the logic of your suggestion.  It is much better to include them in the conversation and really listen to their desires. 

Listen:

Adult children of aging parents are busy and often think things need to happen on their schedule.  The elderly operate at a much slower pace.  Waiting quietly and patiently for an elderly parent to think things over can be difficult.  Listen to what is said and try to understand their anxiety and fear of change.  Let the idea of accepting help settle a bit and after some time re-approach the idea.  A hard sell or nagging about using home health rarely works and since the goal is providing safety and independence at home, most elderly will soon realize that it is the preferred option to moving to an institution.  

www.homeaidhealthcare.com

www.prairiehomeassistedliving.com

Kate McCarthy is Director of Operations for HomeAid Health Care which provides services for the elderly who wish to remain safe and independent at home.  HomeAid is sister company to Prairie Home Assisted Living which has served the physical, spiritual, mental and health needs of their residents since 1999.  Together the two companies provide comprehensive care for the elderly in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin.