How To Begin A Conversation About Home Care

Knowing how to start a conversation about Home Care can be a challenging task. If you know that a family member or close friend needs help – but won’t admit it – this can lead to some distressing negotiations.

This is particularly common amongst older people who, understandably, value their independence very highly. Their generation’s values may also lead them to go out of their way to hide problems, for fear of being a nuisance or appearing unable to cope. They also may not even know how to start a conversation about receiving help or where to begin.

This reluctance – or even strident efforts to hide a pressing need for domestic care – can make it hard to raise the topic, let alone persuade the individual to agree to home care services.

Age-related cognitive impairment or dementia can further complicate things. Explaining to a loved one that their behaviour or decisions are putting them at risk can be frustrating. You may also be concerned that their quality of life is poor. Explaining all this in a constructive way can be extremely challenging if they are confused by – or unaware – of the issues.

How To Start The Conversation

The most important priority is to win them over gently, with information and encouragement. The starting point is not appearing to criticise or judge. Don’t remind them what they can’t do – instead, emphasise what they can do with the right domestic care in place. Show them the positive benefits of home care.

Taking Out The Fear Factor

One of the biggest hurdles to overcome for getting someone to agree to home care is often fear of the unknown, or concerns about loss of independence. A member of our team would be happy to visit your relative or friend for a non-obligation initial chat, to reassure them that the services we provide are aimed at protecting their independence and dignity above all else.

We can also assure them that we know their needs and preferences will change, so our services can be altered whenever possible to suit them, a process they are in control of.

Home care in the UK is based on a person-centred approach. For that to be possible, the care team must be able to work with the individual’s preferences. While it is legal in the UK to dictate someone’s care if they don’t have the mental capacity to express a preference themselves, for the most part, home care is based on providing stress-free and individually tailored support. This is only possible when the individual is willing and ready to accept help.