Senior Care Solutions In and Around Halifax, NS

Learn more about our senior care solutions and how we can help start the conversation for your loved one in Halifax, NS

Talking to your parents or elder relative about senior care shouldn’t be a last resort. The sooner your loved one has Comfort Keepers, the more active and fulfilling their life can become. 

It’s difficult to start the conversation about where your senior should live and who should take care of them. With Comfort Keepers’ elite care plans, your relative receives a personal care plan just for them. Whether they need long-term senior care and finances, health care, end-of-life decisions, driving, or safety around the house, Comfort Keepers in Halifax can give your loved one the services they need to continue living their best life. 

To start the conversation- or multiple conversations, address one issue or risk at a time. It’s overwhelming for both you and your loved one to solve all their problems in one sitting. When you begin small, it’s easier to solve problems. After one issue is taken care of, move on to the next one at a later time. 

Following are additional tips for starting the discussions:

• Begin early- Speaking to your loved one about their wishes before they are unable to can ensure your parent or loved one is heard. By allowing them to fully participate in their care and treatment, you’re showing your senior their opinions matter. 
• Choose a time and place- By having a calm and relaxing space to have this difficult conversation, you and your loved one can have the time and space to make decisions together. Avoid special events like birthdays and holidays because it can turn a happy time into a gloomy one. 
• Include other family members– Having a support system on the same page can relieve any stressful conversations. 
• Make the experience non-threatening– Showing your concern for their health and safety can create a productive situation. Assure your loved one their wants and wishes will be respected. Writing down their care plan and other responsibilities can guarantee their needs are met.
• Use good communication skills– Using open body language and maintaining eye contact allows good conversation flow.
• Share an experience– Explaining your own retirement and health plan can gently ease into your loved one’s own plan. 
• Ask about records and documents– Gathering important documents like insurance policies, wills, trust documents, investment and banking records, tax returns, living wills, and durable powers of attorney is an important conversation to have with your loved one. Preparing these papers can help them with their plans. They might have already started their retirement plans. 
• Ask open-ended questions– Encourage your loved one to speak from the heart. Sharing their feeling and fears can help ease the stress about planning for the future. 
• Offer options, not advice– When asking about the type of treatment they desire, lay out multiple options  for them to choose from. Discuss multiple scenarios and possible outcomes to ensure your loved one is aware of all options. 
• Speak with respect– Make sure your parent is actively participating in the discussion. Speak with your loved one not at them. 
• Keep it simple– Talk to your loved one about one issue at a time. This makes the conversation less stressful and time-consuming. 
• Involve third parties– If your parents isn’t open for discussion with you or other family members, involving a third-party might ease the subject. Someone like a doctor can help them begin the process of discussing their future. 

Seniors Can Initiate the Conversation, Too

If you’re a senior wanting to plan for your future, you don’t have to wait for your support group to bring it up. Often your adult children might reluctant to bring up this emotional conversation. 

• Take the initiative– When you’re having a difficult time completing necessary tasks like light cleaning, bathing, paying bills, and driving, it might be time to have that conversation with your health care team and your emotional support team.
• Share your preference– If you’ve already decided what kind of care you want, tell your family or write it down. You know if you’d rather live at home with a caregiver available to help you with your personal care or stay at a permanent care facility.
• Learn about available services– Discuss senior care options with your doctor, social worker, or any other medical provider. They can provide you with more options.

Contact Comfort Keepers in and around Halifax, NS to learn how we can help. We are here to answer all your questions about our senior care solutions!