It is fairly common for older people to refuse care. There are many changes that come with ageing, and many of these occur gradually. These numerous changes lead to major transformations in the adult’s life, and they will need lots of patience and understanding. If they refuse care from a professional caregiver or a family member, you shouldn’t take this as the final decision. With some patience and skill, you should be able to redirect the situation and change their mind. In this guide, we will let you know how you can approach elderly people when they don’t accept care.
Try to understand why the older person does not want to be cared for
As people get older, they have to deal with physical and mental limitations. These may not necessarily be major limitations, but they were not part of their normal life before. Coping with these changes is not easy, and this is why it is important to provide help for elderly living at home.
Still, refusing care is quite common among older people. This is especially experienced in the early stages of ageing, and it usually happens when family members first consider the possibility of hiring home caregivers. Although this is usually aimed at ensuring that the elderly person gets the care they need, the individual may find it quite intrusive.
Elderly people are used to enjoying their independence and privacy, and bringing a stranger to stay with them at home can raise some issues. They may have a hard time trusting that the caregiver will provide adequate care and not become a nuisance. Also, many elderly people feel like accepting care means they are admitting that they are unable to continue living the life they previously led.
Another challenge you may experience when taking care of elderly parents is their fear of rejection. They may be afraid of becoming a burden on the caregivers and their families and may also feel like they will lose their respect and love. In most cases, this issue is not stated openly as the elderly person does not want to cause stress to their loved ones. This can make it even harder to approach the issue.
When trying to get elderly care for an ageing adult, you should take each of these factors into consideration. You should comment on each possibility and let them know that hiring a caregiver will not limit their capabilities in any way. Instead, it will empower them in a safe home environment. Let them know that caregivers will guarantee them a happy old age with a high quality of life.
What do you do when a dementia patient refuses care?
If an elderly person is hesitant about getting care, you should first try to understand their fears as this will help you know how to approach the issue. Once you understand their problem, you can then actively try to change their attitude towards elderly care. Here are some elderly care tips you can follow when an older person refuses care:
• Raise the issue as a natural and necessary process- It will be better for you to raise the issue of elderly care as a natural and necessary part of ageing. Try to maintain a positive mindset so that they see it as a necessary change in life.
• Take small steps- Most people, young or old, will be a little anxious about opening their homes up to strangers. For this reason, it is essential to introduce the caregiver slowly into the life of the elderly person.
• Consider getting the help of professional psychologists- If the older person still doesn’t understand the importance of elderly care, you may have to turn to professional psychologists, particularly those who are specialized in gerontology.
After applying these tips, it is highly likely that the elderly friend or family member will now be open to the idea of elderly care. However, you should understand that elderly care must never be imposed. In some cases, the individual will still not be ready to work with caregivers, even after trying all the tips listed above. In such cases, you can contact us for professional help.
At Cuidum, you will find the best home caregivers for your family member. We offer several contracting options and services, so we can adapt to the schedule and needs of your family member. Our service is highly flexible, so you won’t have to deal with any pressure or stress. Our caregivers work with high levels of empathy and professionalism and will always aim at ensuring the well-being of your loved one.
