Coping with the Challenges of Elderly Care Resistance

The health and proper caring of the elderly members of the family is always the prime concern for everyone. Your sentiments and respect for the elderly parents and grandparents are precious. However, problems can arise posing difficulties for you to balance the regular work and family responsibilities with the intense caring of the seniors. While assisted caring is a brilliant option, the resistance to accept care and lack of cooperation are quite likely. Rudeness and forcing decisions often worsen the situation and disturb the harmonious atmosphere. Effective communication and patience is the key to sort out these issues.

Why is Elderly Resistance to Care?

It is extremely important to understand the reasons for elderly care resistance that can arise from several emotional factors and some practical considerations.

• The primary emotional turbulence may raise the feeling of loss of independence and desired level of privacy.
• The seniors are often reluctant to obey the routine care, monitoring, assistance and medical treatment, which are very important for their health.
• The elders are often worried about the expenses on caring and medical facilities. They do not want the family members to bear the burden of these costs.
• The feeling of insecurity and lack of confidence in the care provider arouses resistance to take help.

Approaches to Cope with Elderly Care Resistance

To protect the loving parents and grandparents in their old age, you have to approach them with a lot of patience. The decision to arrange for caring and assistance support can be solely determined based on advice of the doctors, the present health condition and ability of the seniors to manage their lives independently.

Communication: A friendly conversation can resolve the problem and help to prepare the elders for the care and support. Always ensure a time when the elders and your family members are relaxed and happy.

Scope of Expression: Always provide full scope to the seniors so that they can express their point. Allow comfort zones to the elders to state their preferences. They may like to ensure several matters before agreeing for the assisted caring.

Avoid Haste: The initial discussion on the matter may not be fruitful in dealing with the elderly resistance to help. Give some time so that they can prepare themselves for the decision. You can always try to put up a discussion at some other time.

Describe Your Situation: During the discussion, state your concern for the elders and explain your situation properly so that they can agree on the point. They are your loved ones and will always understand the difficulties and extend cooperation.

Trial Period: The elders are often resistant to allow strangers around them. A trial run will help the elder to understand the nature of help and take the final decision.

Despite multiple attempts if the problems of elderly resistance to care continue to persist, you can consult a professional advisor. Seniors are often more agreeable to the advices of the doctors, close friends, and other associates.

Do you have any more suggestions that can help with the elderly resistance issues? Please provide your opinion. We deeply appreciate your valuable suggestions.