So your elderly mother wants to stay at home, but she can no longer drive, cook, or do the housework. You and your siblings have stressful jobs and demanding family lives, and you may or may not live within driving distance.
So you bring someone in to help out. Simple, no?
No, indeed! The decision to bring someone into the home of a loved one—especially a loved one who is weak or frail—can be gut-wrenching. It’s difficult even assuming that everyone in the family is on-board with the decision and you’ve figured out how to divide the bill.
We at Stay at Home understand how difficult it is to admit you need help taking care of a loved one, and we agree that a caretaker must be chosen very, very carefully. That’s why we offer family consultation services to help you understand the challenges you face and the options you have.
Oftentimes, one family member will try to take care of an elderly parent on her own (it’s most often a daughter). The stresses may be taking a serious toll on her, both physically and emotionally, but neither she nor other family members find it easy to discuss the situation. A family consultation gives your family a chance to openly discuss this and other issues while learning about the options that are available.
Here’s how it works: We bring together a representative of Stay at Home with all the people who have an interest in the care of your loved one. Typically, the meeting will be attended by family members, close friends, and even neighbors. Our role is to help you understand your challenges and options, and to help you select the best care option for your loved one. We discuss all your options, not just our services, and you have no obligation to us.
To schedule a family consult, please contact your local Stay at Home office. They will be glad to set up an appointment that works well for you and the other members of your family.
The conversation will include all the issues and challenges associated with caring for a loved one, including:
- The needs of your love one
- Family responsibilities
- Personal feelings
- Family impacts
- Cost considerations
By addressing these issues, you and your family will be one step closer to getting your loved one the best possible care while at the same time getting your own life back.