As an adult child to a senior you may find that you are helping your parents with more and more things. However, some of these things aren’t always comfortable. You may help them bathe, change, or do a number of different tasks that you may have never thought about before. It can seem hard to respect your parents’ privacy as a family caregiver, but there are ways you can do it.
Here are some of the best tips when caring for your senior mom or dad and trying to respect their privacy.
Hire Personal Care at Home Services
One of the best things you can do as an adult child caring for your elderly mom or dad is to consider hiring a personal care at home agency. These are professionals who can start caring for your mom or dad and allow you to focus on creating a more meaningful relationship.
This means that you can give your loved one privacy but also allow them to feel independent from family members because they can work with personal care at home providers instead. It gives them a sense of privacy, freedom, and respect because it’s not always comforting to have to rely on their adult children for help.
Be Discreet When Discussing Seniors
Your family members will naturally want to check in with you on the status of the senior. This is totally reasonable, and it shows they care. However, when discussing their health or what’s going on, it can be easy to overshare and invade your senior mom or dad’s privacy.
You need to be discreet when sharing things and think about how what you’re saying is going to make your loved one feel. There is no need to overshare, but you can share details or tell them what your senior loved one wishes to share. If you think a senior needs more interaction from family, encourage family members to reach out to a senior to ask firsthand how their health is and if they need any additional help.
Always Ask First
Ask them before you jump to any conclusions, thinking your loved one always needs help. Sometimes, they may just be taking their time doing something and may not need your help. A senior may not want to share everything with you and they may want to try something on their own.
Allow them to try things on their own and then allow them to ask for help if needed. This means you should be knocking before entering rooms, asking before doing things, and giving your senior mom or dad some sense of control over their privacy and needs.
Give Them Coverage During Vulnerable Moments
When you’re helping your loved one out of the shower, wrap them in a towel. If you’re helping them change, give them coverage first. All of these little steps may seem annoying, but they can give your senior loved one a sense of privacy and respect.
They may not want you to see them fully naked, and it may make them uncomfortable because you are still their child. Keep in mind that personal care at home providers may be a more comfortable option for them during these intimate moments.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home in Bozeman, MT, please contact the caring staff at Qualicare MT today at (406) 551-6700
Qualicare MT Provides Exceptional Home Care in Bozeman, Belgrade, Livingston, Three Forks, Manhattan, and surrounding areas.
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