Gary Barg knows firsthand the ins and outs of life as a family caregiver, having watched his mother serve in that role. He witnessed her struggle through the varying challenges, seeing her undergo both physical and mental exhaustion. He compares a family caregiver to a CEO. CEOs can’t do all the work themselves. Instead, they surround themselves with competent employees who help move the company forward, allowing it to run smoothly and prosper. In the same way, a family caregiver needs competent help at home, not just in the everyday care needs of a loved one, but managing the household, handling insurance issues, and a myriad of other responsibilities. Respite is a necessity, which is where professional home care can be invaluable.
Thinking creatively and empathetically about a senior loved one’s situation can make a real difference in helping both the senior and his or her family caregivers to come to a level of acceptance when it comes to bringing in a professional caregiver. It can go a long way towards easing the transition and allaying fears, while helping to accomplish the desired end goal of the senior aging where he or she prefers: at home.
For instance, Barg shares the following story of a caregiver from a Fearless Caregiver conference:
“For a long time, a woman had tried to convince her mother that hiring an in-home caregiver would be beneficial for them both. Her mother was resistant, though. One day, the daughter thought to explain the situation using terms her mother could recall from her career as a bank president, telling her mother that they needed to hire an administrative assistant because they were both very busy, and there was a lot of paperwork to get done. The woman’s mother approved, and an in-home caregiver was hired. In speaking with her mother after the first day the caregiver had been to the house, the “administrative assistant” received a glowing review. Her mother also wondered aloud if the next time the caregiver was at the house, they could go get ice cream.”
It seems like a simple concept, yet shows how a little creative thinking can work wonders in changing a negative perception to a desirable one.
For more tips on creative approaches to helping your potential clients embrace the benefits of care at home, call on the senior care marketing experts at MOST! You can reach us any time online or at 800.370.6580 x3.
