It’s clear that your dad needs help to complete his daily to-do list, but you and your siblings still work full-time. You’re not available to help out as much as he needs. It’s time to talk to him about having professional caregivers to help out. How do you approach him?

Gather Family Members and Close Friends He Trusts

Before you even have a conversation with your dad, make sure that he’s surrounded by people he trusts. If he doesn’t trust someone’s opinion, it’s not worth having that person there. You want him to have this conversation with family and friends who will not upset him.

You have to be honest as you discuss his need for elder care, but you don’t want to make him uncomfortable or frustrated. If you make it appear that he’s the one making final decisions, he’ll be less resistant to the idea.

Ask Him Questions About His Daily Routine

Ask your dad what he does each day. You want to consider if he takes prescription medications, has a special diet he should be following, or can climb stairs easily. If he struggles on stairs and his laundry room is in a garage or basement, he may need help doing laundry.

You also want to make sure he has someone stopping by for socialization. Is he alone all week or does he have visitors? Is he able to get out of the house for social activities at the area senior center or public library? Does he have a ride to church services, if he wants to attend?

What do you know about his health? If your dad has health issues, it’s important that they’re addressed by his care plan. If he has high blood pressure and must take daily medications, how often does he forget? When he does forget, does he skip the dose and wait until the next day? If so, how does that impact his health?

Your dad may forget if he’s taken a pill. Does he stop and count pills or does he take a pill anyway, even if there’s a chance he’s already taken one? That can be risky. He needs a better system for medication management.

Note Things You and Other Family Members Have Noticed

If there are things your dad does or doesn’t do that concern you, your brothers, and your sisters, jot them down on a list. Your dad may not realize he’s doing them or maybe hiding that it’s becoming harder for him to drive his car, walk up and down the stairs, or remember to take his medications.

You can work with your dad and build a comprehensive list of the services that would benefit him throughout the week. Use that list when you call an agency.

Once you’ve talked to your dad and gone over the services he could use to complete daily activities, make sure you involve him in the conversation with an elder care advisor. That specialist can go over prices and schedules, and help your family book the elder care services that your dad needs the most.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Elder Care in Las Vegas, NV please contact the caring staff at Compassion Crest Home Care.