What to Do When Your Parent Refuses Help

By Andy Niska | November 2, 2017 |

Amelia noticed that her mom was showing signs of struggling to care for herself at home. The house was growing increasingly untidy and her mom sometimes looked disheveled. When Amelia opened the refrigerator to make some lunch for her mom, she saw multiple containers of spoiled food. Turning to the cupboards for dry goods, she found them mostly empty. Amelia wondered what her mother had been eating. But, when Amelia confronted her mom about needing some help and suggested that they contact an agency to hire a home caregiver, her mom protested and insisted she didn’t need any help.

Caregiver in Spokane Valley: When a Parent Refuses Help

Caregiver in Spokane Valley WA: When a Parent Refuses Help

Does this situation sound familiar? Many adult children encounter resistance when they first suggest to their senior parents that they may need some help. It’s difficult for people to give up their independence, and accepting help can make seniors feel like their family members think they are incapable or feeble. If your parent could benefit from a home caregiver, but is refusing help, here are some tips that might help you cope with their resistance and some that might help convince your parent to accept assistance.

Tell Your Parent It Would Help You.

Sometimes seniors have an easier time accepting help when they realize that by accepting it, they will also be helping their children. Explain to your parent that you worry about them and knowing that a caregiver is coming to the house to check on them and help them will make you feel better.

Be Kind to Yourself.

When your parent refuses help, it can make you feel like a failure. You might be tempted to beat yourself up over the situation. However, their refusal is not your fault. Arguing with your parent isn’t likely to make the issue any better, so it’s probably best to be patient, especially if there isn’t a safety issue that requires immediate attention.

Offer a Trial Period.

Ask your parent just to give having a home caregiver a try. They could accept help on a trial basis, for a month or so and see if they like it. Chances are, they’ll discover that having someone come in to help with the housework, cook meals, and provide some company is a pretty great thing and the help can continue.

Start Slow.

Sometimes older adults just aren’t ready to jump in to home care with both feet. Even if your parent needs help several days a week, you might want to start with just one or two days. This way, your parent can get to know their caregivers before they are around on a more constant basis.

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregiver services in Spokane Valley, WA, please contact the friendly staff at Love at Home Senior Care, today. Call (509) 204-4088

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Andy Niska

Owner at Love In Home Senior Care

Andy has over 20+ years experience in the medical community and has a true compassion for seniors. With a degree in Health Care Administration, he developed a background in a variety of health care services that only comes from first hand experience. While working as a manager of a large clinic and as an account executive for medical suppliers. Andy has built valuable relationships with the medical community.

His role in Love In Home Senior Care is to educate people on what care choice is the best fit for the senior and their family while attempting to make this decision as stress-free as possible for everyone involved.

This decision making process should be smooth and stress free for everyone, including all family members and their loved ones. Having access to people with experience (like the team at Love In Home Senior Care) to assist you along the way can help this process. With an extensive background in health care, Andy has the experience needed to guide and direct your loved one to the choice that is the best fit.