Elderly Assistance in Longwood and Why Seniors May Refuse Help

It's the day adult children dread. They visit Mom or Dad at home only to find the house is a mess, the lawn hasn't been mowed, and the bills have been piling up. It's suddenly clear that their loved one in the Longwood area needs elderly assistance. But when they broach the subject, it's met with firm refusal. How do you cope and what do you do next?

At Visiting Angels^® Deland, we've seen this scenario play out all too often. Adult children find themselves in the position of having to convince their suddenly stubborn parent(s) they need help. Let's look at why seniors often refuse assistance, and some strategies for convincing them to accept help.

Why Seniors Refuse Elderly Assistance in Longwood 

It's not hard to understand that your aging parent or loved one is resistant to having help at home. The reasons are often easy to understand if you take a minute to put yourself in their shoes.

• I'm not old! Many seniors don't think of themselves as "old". They still feel young and admitting they need help is akin to admitting they aren't as young as they once were.
• I'm scared! Others may understand they need help, but are fearful of having a stranger in the home with them. This is a common concern, but allowing your loved one to be involved in the process of choosing an at home care giver can help to alleviate this fear.
• I'll be fine. It's easy for seniors to explain away the mess. I've been tired. I haven't been feeling well. It's been too hot/cold to run to the store. While all these are valid reasons to let things slide occasionally, if the problems persist, you'll need to consider this isn't temporary.

Helping Seniors in Longwood Accept Elderly Assistance From Visiting Angels Deland

If your loved one has been resistant to having a caregiver provide assistance. Here are some strategies you can use to persuade them to give it a try.

• Talk it out. Chances are your loved one has noticed the same changes you have. Instead of insisting that a caregiver is coming, talk to your loved one and ask for their thoughts. Talk through any fears or concerns they may have. Assure them you'll remain actively engaged with them. Make sure you are on the same page.
• Provide options. Be clear about the problems you are seeing and provide your loved one with options. Let them choose the solution they are comfortable with. Just make sure you are comfortable with the options you lay out.
• The words matter. As is so often the case in life, the words you choose and the delivery of those words can make a big difference on the final outcome. Show your loved one the same respect you'd like to see.

At Visiting Angels Deland, we've helped families in Longwood, Deland, Orange City, and throughout the local area find qualified elderly assistance through our referral network. We can help you too.