It’s not easy to convince the person you care about, especially a parent, that you believe it’s time for them to move, that you think they need to consider a smaller place, one that doesn’t require a great deal of upkeep. However, when it comes to elder care, there are some things that you need to think about before you make your mother (or father) move.
First, it’s their decision. Unless you convince a court that your mother or father can no longer care for himself or herself at home, and that home care for elderly individuals is not going to be a great benefit for them, then you have to accept that it is their decision whether or not they want to move.
You can’t, nor should you try to, force them to move if they don’t want to. There could be a dozen good reasons why they don’t want to move at this point in time. They may have lived in that house for a majority of their life; they are comfortable there, they know their way around, they have many wonderful memories of living there.
If they don’t want to move, then you need to respect that decision. If you can’t respect that decision, or you think ‘you know what’s best for them,’ then you need to step back and think long and hard about why it’s so important to you that they move.
If your mother agrees that the house that she’s in now is too much for her to manage, yet she doesn’t see the advantage of moving at this point in her life, then you can show her how the quality of life would improve if she decided to live somewhere else.
However, if you are still convinced that your mother needs to move for her own health, then you might want to consider elderly home care. Even though your mother may frustrate you, or may do things that you can’t help her with, that doesn’t mean that a professional caregiver with experience wouldn’t be able to provide that level of support for her.
Make sure that you take the time to listen, really listen, to what your mother is trying to tell you with regard to moving. While you may be providing elder care for her, or helping to support the right level of care that she needs, doesn’t mean that you can decide on where she lives or what she does. It’s her life, so respect that, and avoid making her move. You can convince her, but don’t force her to do something she doesn’t want to do.
If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care services in the League City Area, call Sheila’s Angels and talk to our caring staff about your needs. Sheila’s Angels Provides In-home Elder Care for the Houston Area. Serving Clear Lake City, League City, Friendswood, Pearland, Alvin, El Largo, Nassau Bay, Seabrook, Taylor Lake, Clear Lake Shores and surrounding communities.
For More Information or a FREE Consultation CALL 832-295-6456.