WHAT IF YOUR LOVED SENIOR REFUSES CARE?

Browsing all information on care for the elderly and after much deliberation you have evolved a care plan for your beloved elderly person that is flawless! You cease to worry, assured that they will be secure at home, and a caregiver will give them the attention when you cannot...

this relief lasts only till the day the caregiver is supposed to be introduced to them, and the elderly person is not willing to greet them! What step to take next?

 

As you chalk out your care plan, keep your loved elderly one involved in it. Keep it in mind that they also have a say in the plans as to who to employ, when the caregiver should arrive and the kind of care they require. It could be that they are yet to decide if they help or not, but the involvement will raise their self-esteem that you still need their decision and consider their will to be important

 

In case they refuse to take the help, then it will become a daunting task for you, all the more so if the beloved person has a different idea and cannot view things from your perspective. At this point you need to be caring but strong on your point in dealing with them, and help them understand that their safety cannot be risked. Comfort them with the idea that your aim is to aid them stay safely at home as long as possible, and you are with them. Try to make adjustments where it is possible; for example, let the caregiver come over the same days in the week, but shorten the time of stay.

 

Addressing the caregiver as ‘cook’ or ‘housekeeper’ would be a nice idea, as it will make them feel you are treating them with care! Help them to understand that they do not have to play the host to the caregiver and can carry on with their normal routine with being conscious of the caregiver’s presence. If your loved elderly person is more of the mingling type then propose an interesting card game or other enjoyable activities that they can engage into. Steadfast adherence to your purpose is necessary to bring in the desired results...eventually your beloved elderly person will adapt to the change in their lifestyle and all dissension will disappear.