22/10/2026
One question we hear frequently isn't from home care recipients—it's from their children.
'How do I have the home care talk with my parent(s)?'
It can be tricky, and sometimes even uncomfortable.
We spoke to industry experts about the best ways to approach this conversation, and here's what they suggested...
1. Understand your options: Research and understand all of your home care options. With some preparation, you can dispel falsehoods and mitigate fears that could derail the conversation before it even begins.
2. Mention the signs: An aged care conversation that gives everyone involved the opportunity to share how they feel leaves no room for interpretation. That’s important: inviting your parent(s) to voice their feelings is certainly part of it, but you need to speak up, too, and share what you’ve noticed and how those observations make you feel regarding your Mum or Dad’s health.
3. Focus on the advantages: If there’s one thing that you and your parent(s) can probably agree on from the outset, it’s this: their independence and comfort are most important. When ageing parents show signs of slowing down, aged care services can help them maintain that independence. Home care, specifically, can help preserve their autonomy and empower them to live in their own homes late into life.
4. Try before you buy: Make it clear that decisions are not permanent. No matter what type of services your family needs, you can try different options before committing.
5. Tap in third parties: Unbiased third-party professionals (doctors, physicians, OTs) can change the dynamic of the discussion. They not only evaluate the situation with trained eyes, but they also have insight into the options that might work best for your family. Plus, they don’t bring any emotional baggage to the situation, meaning they can share their opinions objectively.
6. Have multiple conversations: ‘It’s like planting a seed and letting it grow,' Amanda Johnson, Professor of Nursing at the University of Newcastle, told us. 'Choose the appropriate moment to plant the seed with a beginning conversation, and recognise the conversation can evolve over time.'
