13 April 2016
 Categories: , Blog

In an ideal situation, your elderly parent recognizes that he or she needs help and is willing to accept it. However, this does not always happen. If your elderly parent is refusing to get help with tasks, such as taking medications and daily hygiene, here is what you can do.

Evaluate Your Parent's Reasoning

Before you can counter the objections your parent has to receiving help, you need to understand them. By understanding the objections, you can better formulate a rebuttal. 

Although it might appear your parent is being stubborn, it is possible that there is an entirely different motivator. For instance, your parent might be worried about losing his or her independence. Your parent could also be afraid of having someone new in his or her home. 

Plan Your Oral Argument

What you say to your parent must be carefully thought out. Remember, how you express yourself is just as important as what you say. Try to remain calm and do not attack your parent. If he or she feels as if you are attacking, your parent could shutdown and refuse to listen.

Your oral argument should focus on countering your parent's objection, while at the same time empowering him or her to make the right decision. Stress to your parent that receiving help enables him or her to stay independent and stay in the home. 

Enlist Professional Help

If your parent is still refusing help, it is time to bring in the professionals. Start with your parent's medical care provider. Your parent already has an established relationship with him or her and is more likely to listen to the doctor's reasoning. 

You can also schedule a consultation with a senior home care service. A social worker or another representative from the service can meet with your parent, assess his or her needs, and explain how those needs are addressed. Your parent also has the chance to explain what he or she does and does not want from the service. 

By keeping your parent involved in the entire process of setting up professional help, you make the decision seem more like it is his or hers and not yours. As a result, your parent might be more willing to accept help from the senior home care service. 

It is important that you remain patient throughout the entire process of convincing your parent to accept help. It can take some time, but with patience and careful planning, it is possible to sway your parent towards the right decision. 

If you'd like to learn more about senior home care, consider contacting companies like BrightStar Care of Naples/Ft. Myers.