Four Tips for When Your Senior Doesn’t Want Help

Just because you’re the primary caregiver for your senior that doesn’t mean that she’s happy about it. In fact, she might be very unhappy about accepting any help at all. Here’s what you can do.

 

Home Care Services in Robertsdale AL: When seniors turn down help

Home Care Services in Robertsdale AL: When seniors turn down help

 

Talk to Her

Sit down and talk to your senior. Ask her what’s behind her refusal of your help. You might be surprised at what she has to say. She may want to control more of her life, staying as independent as she can for as long as she can. Or she might be afraid of your motivations. She might be worried that you’re going to put her in a nursing home the first chance you get. Until you talk, you’re flying blind.

 

Is There a Middle Ground?

Listen carefully to your senior’s objections and figure out if there’s a middle ground. Maybe all of this has been a big misunderstanding. That’s the best-case scenario because that is going to allow you to step up as her caregiver and offer the help you want so badly to give. But she may not be ready for a full compromise just yet. That’s especially true if there are trust issues at play.

 

Find Other Options

You may need to make a deal with your elderly family member. For instance, you might tell her you’ll be there whenever she needs you and all she has to do is let you know she needs help. This gives her the control and allows you to prove to her that you mean what you’ve said. She may feel that her privacy is at risk, so the idea of a personal alarm system is particularly annoying to her. Find other options.

 

Brace Yourself for Stepping Back

Ultimately you may need to prepare yourself to step back for some time. If your senior’s health warrants it, you may not be making the situation better by trying to give her help she doesn’t want. Your relationship with her is important, so if you keep pushing, you may end up damaging that bond. Let her know that you’re there for her, no matter what.

Just because you’re operating as your senior’s caregiver that doesn’t mean she’s always going to be excited about your help. That’s a hard pill to swallow, but you might need to wait for her to be more ready for what you can do for her. When she is ready, don’t gloat about it. Just give her what she needs.

 

If you or someone you know needs Home Care Services in Robertsdale, AL, please contact the friendly caregivers at  Hughes Home Care. We provide quality and affordable care for your elderly loved ones in our community. Call Us Today 251-517-9901.  Serving Mobile & Baldwin County.

James Hughes