--- title: "5 Strategies to Help Dad Accept In-Home Care | HomeCare.com" description: "Getting Dad to accept care can be especially difficult. Follow these 5 tips on healthy communication and you'll have a good shot." url: https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/home-care-resources/convincing-dad-to-accept-home-care/ publisher: HomeCare.com phone: 800-974-3458 start: https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com --- Home care resources # 5 Strategies to Help Dad Accept In-Home Care Published June 13, 20182 min readBy HomeCare.com ![Convince Dad-To-Accept-Care](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/_astro/761472a35f30eaaf1999c4f74151465e-convince-dad-to-accept-care.DE-zaz6s_Z2d1tsO.webp) Questions about care for your family? [800-974-3458](tel:+18009743458) Introducing the subject of in-home care can be difficult for everyone, especially for dads. They can be stubborn and proud when it comes to accepting “unneeded” help. Many fathers are used to taking care of the rest of the family so having the roles reversed makes them uncomfortable. Add in denial about their declining health and it’s no wonder you two are butting heads over getting outside help. If you’re sure you need some extra help, but you’re unsure how to start the conversation; read on for our 5 tips on how to convince your dad to get home care. 1. **Understand why he is resistant to care**Sit your dad down, listen to his concerns, and try to figure out his motivation for resisting care. The most common reasons are lack of privacy, [cost of getting care](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/family-resources/paying-for-care/), loss of independence, or having a stranger in the house. Try to assuage these fears and provide concrete reasons as to why he has nothing to worry about. 2. **Treat him like an adult**As parents age they can get more stubborn, mean, or disagreeable. During these times it can be tempting to treat them like children, talk down to them, or infantilize them. This can further anger them and make them feel like their feelings or words are invalid. When talking to him about home care try to keep your tone even and be reasonable. 3. **Make decisions together**Try to include your dad in all aspects of the caregiving process. Letting him have some control over when to interview caregivers or when a caregiver should come to the house will help him [keep some sense of freedom](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/family-resources/5-ways-maintain-senior-independence/). 4. **Say the help is for you**If you are currently the primary caregiver - say that you need help, not your parent. This will reduce the feeling that their independence is being threatened or encroached upon. Emphasize how having a caregiver will help you handle household chores or deal with [caregiver stress](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/caregiver-resources/caregiver-burnout/). 5. **Be patient**Deciding to hire in-home care is not a quick decision and changing your dad’s mind overnight will not be possible. For many, it could take weeks or even months to convince them to get extra help. If you believe that dad needs a caregiver, be patient and persistent. Maybe you’ve had this conversation before or you’re dreading having the conversation in the first place, but it’s important to have an honest and respectful talk about home care with your dad. While he may be resistant to the idea at first, if you follow the tips outlined above, it will be easier for him to accept help. This article was first published on HomeCare.com on June 13, 2018. Program rules and costs change; see our [current cost data](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/cost-of-home-care/) and [guides](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/guides/) for up-to-date figures. ## Terms in this article - [Caregiver stress](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/caregiver-stress/) - [Home care](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/home-care/) ## Keep reading - [**Caregiver Burnout - Recognizing and Coping with Signs of Caregiver Stress**Are you feeling burned out and run down? Caregiver burnout is a real thing that family caregivers must watch out for. Learn how to manage caregiver stress.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/caregiver-resources/caregiver-burnout/) - [**5 Ways to Maintain Senior Independence**Keep your parents at home with 5 tips for senior home safety. Use technology, consider downsizing, and use caregivers to prevent elder falls and accidents.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/family-resources/5-ways-maintain-senior-independence/) - [**Paying for Home Care**Can you use Medicare for home care? How are veteran’s benefits determined? Learn the costs of elder care services and home health care pricing including...](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/family-resources/paying-for-care/) - [**Companion Care vs Personal Care: What Each Level Does and Does Not Do**Companion care gives company, light housekeeping, meals, rides and reminders. Personal care adds hands-on help with bathing, toileting, dressing and moving...](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/guides/companion-care-vs-personal-care/) - [**Can a Family Member Get Paid to Be a Caregiver? A State-by-State Guide**Yes, sometimes. Medicaid programs in several states let a person choose a relative as a paid caregiver, though spouses are often excluded or limited. The VA...](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/guides/get-paid-to-care-for-a-family-member/) - [**How Many Hours of Home Care Does Your Parent Need? A Simple Needs Checklist**Count what your parent cannot do alone, and when. A few tasks a week may need two to four hours of visits. Help with bathing, meals and mobility every day...](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/guides/how-many-hours-of-home-care-do-i-need/) ## Talk to a care advisor today. Free consultation. No minimums, no contracts. [800-974-3458](tel:+18009743458) [Call a care advisor](tel:+18009743458)[Find a caregiver online](https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com) ![A caregiver helping an older adult walk safely](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/_astro/mobility.Doj5AZnu_14WFFj.webp)