3 Do’s and Don’ts for Providing Men with Home Care

There is an ever increasing need of homecare for seniors living along Chicago’s Northshore and the surrounding areas. When it is time to start looking into care for parents, it is important to determine the best approach to facilitate the discussion. Providing care for men can require unique communication choices in order to understand their needs.

Men typically have a harder time admitting that they are getting older, which makes it more challenging for friends and family members to communicate the importance and necessity for care.

Here are some examples of “Do’s” and “Don’ts” when it comes to talking with a man about receiving care.

• Don’t tell him he can no longer do the things he loves because he is too old and frail. Instead tell him you love spending time with him and doing some of his favorite activities with him.
• Don’t tell him he needs help. It would be more beneficial to make him understand your concerns. Ask him what he would do if he were in your shoes. What would he do if he was worried about your safety and future independence?
• Don’t hide his belongings—car keys, credit cards or glasses—and tell him you have not seen them when he is trying to leave. As an alternative, consult with a healthcare professional to confirm whether or not it is safe for him to be out driving on his own. When this type of information is provided by a medical professional, men are more likely to find alternative methods of transportation.

It is way more common for women to be family caregivers than men; however men are currently stepping up to provide care more so than with previous generations. Women continue to be the primary caregivers, which can be physically strenuous and create awkward situations between family members.

Before agreeing to become a loved one’s caregiver, it is important to consider the senior’s care needs and understand how their needs will change over time. A wife may assist with grocery shopping or cooking, but may not be able to physically lift up her husband out of bed. A daughter could assist with transportation to appointments, but may not feel comfortable helping Dad with a shower.  Home care support for a senior can be both physically and emotionally draining for a family member who acts as the sole caregiver for a male family member.

It is important to find the right caregiver for a male loved one, and the right approach will vary depending on the man’s personality, needs and preferences.