When Dad Hides behind Home Care Services near Allentown, NJ

It has been about three months since my father reluctantly agreed to hire home care services. Before that time, he had been an outgoing, bubbly, energetic individual who enjoyed spending time with the friends he still had playing cards, watching the ballgame, and doing a few other “manly” things.

However, during the past month I have noticed a significant difference in his demeanor and behavior. He has talked less and less about his health and other issues. I asked him whether he is visiting with his friends still and he won’t respond. I managed to track down one of his friends and found out that my father hadn’t called him or seen him in over a month.

I tried to talk to the in-home care provider, but she was adamant in maintaining his privacy. This was frustrating and I went to the home care agency through which this in-home care provider had been placed my father. I was told that privacy was important to their clients. Even though I was concerned about his health and well-being, they had to maintain confidence, especially if he had requested that. They suggested that I go back and talk to him again to find out that everything is okay.

I visited with him one afternoon and from everything I can see, he seemed to be healthy and didn’t appear to be overly depressed. At least not any more so than I’ve come to accept as normal.

He wasn’t really going out anymore and I asked him why. He said he didn’t really feel the need. This was strange to me and it seemed that he was hiding behind the home care services that was hired to help him actually continue to get out and do things that he enjoyed.

It was frustrating and I didn’t know what to do. So finally I sat down with his in-home care provider away from his house and we had a long discussion. While she continued to maintain his confidence, she told me that he had a lot of fears that he was unwilling to express to me or other family members. He also had lost interest in spending time with some of his friends because of his own health issues.

She assured me that he was staying active, but just at home right now. This was what he wanted for the time being.

I suppose I could still believe that he is hiding behind home care services, but as everyone else mentioned, I have to respect his decision and if he doesn’t want to talk about it and if he doesn’t want to go out, I just have to hope that it’s the right decision for him.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring home care services in Allentown NJ, or the surrounding areas. Please call Independence Home Care today at (609) 642-4085 for more information .