Families are sometimes shocked when their senior loved ones suddenly refuse care. Seniors often value their independence, and they don’t appreciate being told what to do by someone else. While it may be tempting to just arrange for care, it’s important to involve your loved one in the decision. You can help your loved one realize the significance of in-home care by using the following strategies.
Hear Your Loved One Out
You may discover your loved one has very good reasons for refusing care, such as the fear of moving to a retirement community. Alternatively, your loved one may have financial concerns about having to change residences at this point in life.
Listen to your loved one and allow him or her to talk as long as he or she wants. You can use the information you obtain from this conversation to find solutions for your loved one’s concerns, which may include arranging for a caregiver to visit rather than forcing your loved one to move.
Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading Clearwater senior care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
Refuse to Argue
Your loved one may resort to poor communication strategies such as yelling or stonewalling in an attempt to stop conversations about the need for care. However, arguing with your loved one fails to accomplish anything, and it could also damage your relationship.
When your loved one gets angry or exhibits challenging behaviors, you may need to stop talking about the subject. You can temporarily switch to another activity or take a break from each other until you’re both calm enough to discuss the topic again.
Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of in-home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Identify Your Loved One’s Needs
Many seniors don’t need around-the-clock caregivers. Right now, your loved one may only need help with medication reminders or changing bed linens. Take some time to conduct a needs assessment, then make suggestions based on your findings that apply directly to the things that frustrate your loved one throughout the day. Hearing that he or she can get help with cooking or household tasks may be enough to soften your loved one’s opinion of home care.
Lay Out the Options
Your loved one may be reluctant to receive home care due to the fear of losing independence and control. Alternatively, your parent may simply be overwhelmed by the many decisions required when planning for long-term care. Allay these concerns by preparing a few options for your loved one. For instance, you could provide a list of home care services and let your loved one pick one or two that he or she prefers to start with.
Suggest a Trial Period
Seniors sometimes resist making major changes when they’re uncertain about the future. Ask your loved one to accept help for just a few weeks to see how it affects his or her wellbeing. You can even set a date to meet again to follow up on how things are going. Often, seniors find that having help at home is better than they expected, and your loved one will likely be ready by your meeting date to arrange for a longer period of care.
Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Clearwater, FL, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate professional care for your loved one. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (727) 330-7862.