Father’s Day is a day to celebrate the most important man in your life, but it can be bittersweet when your father is at a vulnerable age.
Seeing your father frailer and unable to do many of the things he was once able to is difficult. He’s always been the rock of the family, after all.
This is often just as difficult for a father. As the rock of the family and the one always expected to be “strong”, the challenges that come with aging can be difficult to accept. Even more difficult is accepting help, especially when it comes to personal care. Assistance with personal hygiene is something that many consider demeaning. Fathers often find receiving this type of care from their children especially hard after a lifetime of being the protector and caregiver.
Honouring Who He Was and Who He Is
Regardless of the changes that come with aging or illness, it’s important to remember that your father is still the parent and should be treated as such. It may seem as the sort of thing that should go without saying, but it can be easy to forget when the roles are reversed and you’re caring for them much the way they did for you as a child.
On Father’s Day and every day, it’s important to treat him with respect and be mindful of preserving his dignity. Aging and illness may have caused some changes, but regardless of these changes, your dad—the rock of your family—is still there.
The Gift of Elder Care
Professional elder care can make this vulnerable time easier on dad and the family. In-home care allows your father to age with dignity and maintains as much independence as possible. Our elder care services are vast and versatile, and easily adapted to suit dad’s needs.
Our qualified caregivers are able to take over the tasks that you or your father might find uncomfortable, such as dressing, bathing, and other types of personal care. We know that you’d do anything for your father and that helping with these tasks is an act of love and nothing to be embarrassed about. Even still, many men have trouble with this and often find it easier and more acceptable to receive this type of help from a professional rather than their own son or daughter.
An important part of preserving your aging parent’s dignity is allowing them to have a say in their care and continue to make their own decisions. This is why we’re proud to allow the care recipient the opportunity to choose their own elder care professional. Choosing someone that they feel comfortable with and having control over their care can make it easier to accept help with personal care.
This Father’s Day, celebrate and honour the man your father was and who he still is.
Happy Father’s Day!
David Porter, CPCA
Director
Living Assistance Services – Senior Home Care