My pensioner mum told me today she has employed a cleaner. I'm over the moon for her! However she told me only after telling me it's a secret and nobody else knows.
I told her I think it's fabulous as I'm aware she's been struggling to do things, I'm in another country so I'm relying on what she tells me and what a relative that lives close by (also pension age and tries to help but also isn't really able) tells me. During the conversation it became clear things are worse than I previously realised in regards to her physical abilities as she ages.
She's embarrassed and doesn't want to be judged for having a cleaner, I've obviously reacted (genuinely) positively and I'd like to encourage her to tell other relatives who live in the same country as her and could help out, be eyes on the ground so to speak so if there is more of a decline in what's she's able to do, either now or in the future, I can arrange whatever help is needed.
Please can you share your reasons for having a cleaner so I can share with her that it's not just for the "rich or lazy" (no offence intended to anyone it just her growing up these are the only people who had cleaners) she's worried she will be judged or that people (one particular but that's another thread) will think she's got loads of money when actually she's only got her pension and has to budget carefully to be able to afford the help.