Top 5 Tips to Overcome When an Elder is Refusing Help for Care

It can be frustrating when an elder is stubbornly refusing the help they need, however, it’s an all-too-common situation. At the end of the day though, when their health and safety become a risk factor, action must be taken.

The following are the top 5 tips to consider when your elder refuses to get the help and care that they need.

1. Convince With Care – If your loved one feels that other family members are concerned about their health and wellbeing, it can be a tool to convince them of your good intentions and make them aware that refusing help is actually preventing them from receiving the care they truly need.
   • Reassure your loved one that your concern comes from a place of love.
   • Remind them of how they took care of you growing up, and now you want to help take care of them as they grow older.
2. Talk About Future Possibilities – Talking about the future concerning your loved one’s health and wellbeing can be a somewhat tricky topic, especially if there is resistance or even memory loss.
   • Approaching this topic with patience and kindness can help your loved one feel more at ease and, therefore, less likely to refuse help.
   • Get excited when talking about future possibilities and all the great opportunities that could be in store for your loved one.
3. Give Options – When seniors are approached about getting any form of help, including home care or relocating to a senior living facility, it’s understandable that they may be hesitant.
   • This reaction can be due to feeling as if they no longer have their freedom and independence.
   • Approaching this topic by giving various options allows your loved one to feel as if they, too, have a say in their future, and is a prime example of how to communicate with the elderly effectively.
4. Bring in Outsiders – Sometimes, it is easier to talk to an outside party that is not part of the family circle.
   • Talking to a trained professional for an unbiased opinion could help inform your loved one of the overall benefits of elderly care.
   • Depending on your loved one’s faith, calling in a priest or minister from their church to talk to them could also help put them at ease so they are less likely to refusing help.
5. Discuss Home Care – When our loved ones need assistance and we can’t be there, having a caregiver in the home can be a real helping hand.
   • • Explain all of the added benefits to having a caregiver around, including:
   • Companionship
   • Meal planning and preparation
   • Reminders to take medication
   • Running errands and grocery shopping

At 1Heart Caregiver Services, we offer a vast array of home care services and even 24-hour round-the-clock care. Our services are provided by highly trained professionals that are compassionate and understanding when it comes to various ailments, including Alzheimer’s and dementia.

When your loved ones are refusing help, it is most important to be kind and patient. Give them the information they need and help them discover why more people choose 1Heart Caregiver Services. Contact us today and show your loved one how much you love them by giving the gift of home care.