Family

Ways to Deal with Resistance When Caring for the Elderly

Caring for anyone can be a challenge, but no two circumstances are alike. The struggles you would face helping a partner with a broken leg are different from raising a child or being the primary caregiver to your elderly parents. When it comes to caring for the elderly, one of the main challenges caregivers face is resistance. 

It’s often difficult for an older individual to sacrifice their freedoms, lose part of their autonomy, or just rely on someone else’s full-time care for the first time in their life. In other cases, resistance may come from declining mental health. Here are ways to deal with these scenarios when caring for the elderly. 

Make Care Positive

Care, especially long-term, is often viewed in a negative light by those receiving it. No one wants to admit they can no longer drive safely, need assistance going to the bathroom, or that they need to rely on their children for help. 

Instead of focusing on the reasons an elderly person needs care, turn it into something positive. Instead of saying “home care provider,” you could simply refer to the person as a friend of the family. You could call a care home, like this assisted living facility in Lakewood, a club instead of a home. 

It’s also beneficial to look at care in a positive light. Instead of stating that the elderly person needs help going to the bathroom, for instance, you could talk about it in a way that focuses on keeping them clean and looking their best. 

Express Your Needs

Keeping the focus on the needs of the elderly individual isn’t always the best approach. For some, it helps them make sense of the situation when they hear how their condition is affecting your needs. Explaining how care would make your life easier might be a helpful approach. 

Money Talks

Many elderly people are concerned with the cost of care, especially after they enter retirement. Take the time to explain how their insurance, Medicaid or otherwise, covers the costs for them. Alleviating financial worries is helpful step. 

The Trial Run

In some cases, especially home or hospice situations, you may want to approach the situation as if it were a trial run. Let them know that this is a temporary solution and that, together, you will see how things go. This lets them test long-term care and experience the benefits it provides, hopefully changing their mind. 

Pick and Choose Your Battles

During all of this, it can be difficult to see your loved one’s point view. Take the time to hear them out and understand where this resistance is coming from. Then, set the minor issues aside. It’s easy to get caught up in a fight over smaller aspects of why they need care, but stay focused on the major issues that affect their health and safety. 

When All Else Fails

If your loved one is still refusing care despite being a danger to themselves or others, it’s time to call in a professional. Doctors and lawyers are excellent options. These professionals can explain things in a different light, helping the elderly individual see the situation from a different perspective. Plus, few people refuse to listen to professional advice.