Are you concerned about your parents living at home?

Are you unsure where to turn to next?

You might live close by, visit Mum or Dad regularly and noticed small, gradual changes in their daily living at home over a period of time.  Alternatively, you might live interstate, even overseas and discovered more noticeable changes in mum and dad over the holiday period. 

Either way, if you have noticed change in your parent’s ability, mobility or behaviour, or you simply feel “something’s just not right”, it could be a sign they need some help and support to continue living independently at home. If you aren’t sure, our Recognise The Signs factsheet and blog on Warning Signs provides more information on tell-tale signs to watch out for your loved one requires help.  

When you identify the need for additional support at home, what’s next? Where do you go and what do you need to do?

The key to moving forward is being informed and planning ahead to ensure your loved ones can continue living in their own homes for as long as possible.

Prior to sitting down with your parents about home care, it may help to discuss your concerns with another family member, such as a sibling or family friend, to see if they have noticed anything unusual too. This can help you to identify whether your parent simply requires a few extra instalments around the home, such as a grab rail in the shower, assistance with shopping or more hands on support with personal care. Home Instead’s Home Care Solution is a great place to start, it overviews Australia’s aged care system and the many programs and services available to older people and their families. Knowledge is power and will ultimately help you to determine the best care solution for your loved one. 

When it comes to approaching the subject of help at home with your parents, wait for a quiet time to discuss your concerns one on one. Ensure the tone of the conversation remains caring and informative, not in any way patronising or judgemental. Remember, this is simply two adults planning ahead to ensure your parents can continue living independently at home in the years to come.

If you are worried about how to approach the conversation of help at home with your parents, download our free guide The 40-70 Rule, which is designed to help you start even the most difficult conversations with your ageing parent.

It is also common for older people to be reluctant to accept and even flat out refuse help at home. Our free guide, When Seniors Say No can help you overcome their resistance to assistance.

A little bit of help at home can ensure your parents get the support they need to continue living independently in their own home as they age. Whether your loved ones could benefit from a couple of hours of home help with grocery shopping, cooking or housekeeping, or require a more comprehensive care plan, a Home Instead CAREGiver can help.

Our friendly care team are available 24/7 to discuss your home care needs. Whether you need help approaching the conversation, navigating the aged care system, or understanding the range of services and support available to you, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help.