Your Older Loved One is Resisting Help. What Next?

Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging, especially when they don’t want help. So, what do you do when they resist assistance or downplay the need to get help? There is a thin line between ensuring your older loved one is safe and looking after them without restricting their independence. However, there is a time when older adults can no longer look after themselves and need someone to look after them. At that point, you will need to take the responsibility to ensure they have everything they need, even when they don’t think they need your help. It is hard to deal with an adult when they resist help. However, there are some things you can do to get them the support they need without ruining your relationship with them. Here is what to do.

Reasons a Senior May Resist Help

Older adults, especially those with dementia and Alzheimer’s, may become challenging. From a caregiver’s point of view, they should simply accept help and cooperate with you. However, this is not always the case since the person may want to maintain independence. They might feel vulnerable, frightened, and guilty for not being able to care for themselves. Adding a condition like dementia, the situation may be even worse. If you cannot look after them, it is advisable to find home care services in Washington, DC. This way, they can be looked after by an experienced caregiver without leaving their home.

Some reasons your loved one may resist help include:

• Dementia that causes memory loss and feelings of helplessness and vulnerability
• Desire to be independent
• Fear of seeming weak
• Fear of being a burden to the family
• PTSD
• The sense of loss of privacy

Your loved one could be resisting help for any reason. If so, here is what you can do.

What to Do If Your Loved One Resists Help

1. Understand that getting them to accept help will be a process. It is essential to converse with them to understand their concerns and needs. This way, it will be easier to approach the situation in a better way that might work.
2. Determine the type of care they need. Take some time to observe how they do their things to notice their struggles. Focus on bathing, meal preparation, grocery shopping, housekeeping, etc.
3. Ask for help from the people they trust, like a family member, a doctor, or a friend. It is also a good idea to involve professional caregivers to help them understand the situation. Great caregivers like Capital City Nurses can talk to them and let them know they can get help right from the comfort of their homes. The caregiver can work with the senior to know what they need to continue feeling independent.
4. The worst thing you can do to get your older loved one to accept help is to rush them. Approach every conversation carefully. It is recommended to talk about care when both of you are relaxed and in a good mood. Highlight the positives and let them know they will not be a burden to anyone.

Get Help with Home Care Services

Suppose your older adult has become physically and mentally incompetent due to Alzheimer’s or dementia. In that case, getting them the help they need is a good idea. However, they may not willingly accept help. Understand why and try reasoning with them. Hire home care services for them to get care without leaving their home.