What to Do When Your Elderly Loved One Resists Care

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What to Do When an Aging Loved One Resists Care in Victoria, BC

Not every senior is willing to accept assistance from family members because they may feel accepting care is akin to giving up their independence. Here are a few tips for caregivers whose senior loved ones are resistant to home care. 

Understand the Reason for the Resistance

There are many reasons seniors are resistant to care. While many fear losing their independence, others may be worried about the financial costs of care or the thought of relinquishing their privacy. If you want to persuade your loved one to accept assistance, you must first understand the reasons behind his or her resistance. 

To successfully age in place, some seniors require the help of a professional caregiver. Families rely on Home Care Assistance Victoria to provide caregivers who are expertly trained in various aspects of senior home care, including our holistic Balanced Care Method, an evidence-based program focused on healthy eating, regular exercise, mental and social stimulation, and calmness and purpose.

Approach the Situation Compassionately

If you bring up the topic of care, do so with compassion and delicacy. Broach the subject when your loved one is relaxed and in a good mood. When discussing home care, make sure to inquire about your loved one’s preferences. Even if it’s not possible to accommodate all of their wants and needs, seniors may be more open to receiving home care if they feel like they’re being heard. If your loved one is initially unwilling to discuss care options, don’t give up. Keep bringing up the subject until he or she  is willing to talk. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

Care-resistant seniors may be willing to undergo a trial run. Test out various care options for a few weeks, and ask your loved one about the experience. Your loved one may be more willing to receive assistance after he or she has experienced it first-hand. If your loved one has input in the caregiving process, his or her fear of losing independence might subside. 

Trust the Professionals

For seniors with changing needs, admitting they need help can be incredibly difficult. When family members broach the topic of assistance, it can seem like an indictment of self-sufficiency rather than a genuine offer of help. When complicated family dynamics prevent seniors from accepting care, it may be time to seek the advice of a professional. When the assessment is coming from a doctor or professional caregiver, seniors may be more willing to accept the realities of their situation. 

Explain Why Care Is Beneficial

If your loved one has spent a lot of time pondering the potential negatives of in-home care, like loss of independence and privacy, try to convince him or her of the positives. Emphasize that some types of assistance, like respite care, can make it easier to remain at home for longer. 

If you are the primary caregiver for a senior family member and you need respite care, Victoria, BC, Home Care Assistance is here to help. Our respite caregivers are trained to assist older adults with a wide variety of everyday tasks, including meal prep, physical activity, and personal hygiene. We also provide 24-hour care and specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.

Present a Solution

As daily tasks become more difficult to manage, even fairly independent seniors start to look for solutions to their least favorite chores. Perhaps your loved one hates grocery shopping, paying monthly bills, or picking up prescriptions on a weekly basis. If you can present home care as a solution to your loved one’s grievances, it may make the idea of assistance more palatable.

If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Victoria home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping. To create a customized in-home care plan for your elderly loved one, give us a call at (250) 592-4881 today.

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