Eventually, seniors are going to need a little more help. This happens for a variety of different reasons and none of them are a bad reflection on anyone. Family caregivers can only do so much on their own, and they often wait too long to explore the idea of senior home care. But what about when the senior in question is resistant to the idea of help at all?
Communicate Openly and Clearly
This isn’t a topic that is just going to go away, so it serves everyone best if the lines of communication are clear and open. It’s really important to talk about bringing elder care services in as early as possible, before things get too overwhelming. Talking about it all now helps to set the ground rules and ensure that everyone has their say and gets heard. Schedule time to talk when everyone is calm and in a good emotional space.
Focus on Why Help Would Benefit Everyone Involved
A lot of times family caregivers put the focus on the senior needing help. This isn’t untrue, but it can contribute to resistance and to hard feelings about the idea of accepting help. It’s a lot better to use a lot of “we” phrasing and to put the focus on how having elder care providers available benefits everyone involved. For instance, point out how home care helps the family caregiver by offering peace of mind.
Address Safety Risks
It can also help to talk about the safety issues. When seniors are afraid, they tend to withdraw from activities that they used to enjoy. They might be afraid of falling in the shower, for example, so they stop bathing as often. But that can lead to skin issues and irritation, as well as bigger health issues. Having someone there with them can help them to feel safer about bathing, which is a better situation overall.
Talk about Preserving Independence
Another big concern is that seniors are going to lose their independence and that caregivers are there simply to order them around and take over. It’s important for aging adults to understand that home care providers are there to offer help, not to be mean or to take over. Senior home care can actually help seniors to be more independent, which is what everyone wants.
Offer Trial Periods
If seniors feel as if they’re being locked into a situation that they can’t do anything about, that’s going to contribute to resistance. Make sure that they know they can set some limits. Offer a test period to see how it all works out. That can be enough to release some of the pressure that seniors feel about the idea of help.
Give up Some Control
It isn’t easy for family caregivers to do this, but if they can give up some control to their aging family member, they might just make some headway. Letting seniors know that they have “veto power” can go a long way toward helping them feel more confident about accepting help. This is about helping them, after all.
Overcoming resistance to senior home care might not happen all at once. But sticking with the plan and focusing on how it’s helpful can make a big difference.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING HIRING SENIOR HOME CARE IN SARATOGA, CA, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT HOME HELPERS TODAY. (408) 317-4969.
