You might notice that your aging parent needs more help when they start to struggle with daily routine, mobility or display a decline in cognitive and memory capacities. Caring for them is not easy and comes with many physical and emotional challenges, especially if your aging parent refuses help.
When your loved one experiences a decline in health or independence, they are probably feeling an influx of emotions – denial, embarrassment from being viewed as incompetent, pressure and anxiety from the changes, and not wanting to feel burdensome. These emotions may be causing them to be resistant to your help. While we cannot force them to accept help, what can we do to support them better?
Evaluate the Situation
The first and most important step is to evaluate your parent’s situation. By assessing their living conditions, daily routine, and physical health, identify the tasks that they are able to do independently and those that they require assistance with.
It is also important to assess their mental health. If they seem to be overwhelmed with emotions, it might help to sit down with them over a cup of tea and initiate a conversation. Communication is key. Is your loved one afraid of losing their independence, suffering from depression or anxiety, or are they confused and struggling with memory deficiencies?
Introduce Care a Step at a Time
Care can be introduced slowly, one step at a time. After evaluating your parent’s abilities, allow them to continue completing tasks that they are capable of handling, and provide minimal assistance where necessary. There are also many devices and gadgets available to provide your loved one with some assistance when using the bathroom or getting dressed.
If you require the help of a caregiver, it can be communicated that the caregiver is around to just help around with some chores and provide companionship. This can help your loved one accept that having a little help around the house is not that bad. The level of care provided can be increased or adjusted where necessary as time goes by.
Offer Alternatives
If your parent consistently refuses help, offering alternatives can help them feel like they have a say in their lives and retain autonomy.
If your parent prefers to spend their golden years in their own place, you can offer them the choice to enlist the help of a caregiver if you can’t always be around to help. Ensure that you enlist the help of a caregiver that shares the same views as you and who is able to connect on a personal level with your loved one. The relationship between a caregiver and your loved one can be very intimate, so it is important to hold a trial session first for you and your loved one to see if they are the right fit.
If maintaining their own home is too much for them and they feel lonely at home, they can opt to join retirement communities. SummerHouse Vista Shores offers two senior living options – Assisted Living and Memory Care. We offer stylish living suites and apartment homes, daily gourmet meals, weekly housekeeping and daily activities & social events. 24-hour care is also provided. Retirement communities not only takes the pressure off your parent of maintaining a home but also provides them with opportunities to socialize and explore their hobbies.
Retirement Community at SummerHouse Vista Shores
If your loved one can benefit from accessible 24-hour care and services, SummerHouse Vista Shores is the perfect retirement community for them. Celebrations Events & Activities is the best way for your loved one to lead an active and high quality of life in their golden years.
To book a visit and guided tour, please feel free to contact us or call us at 504-308-0747.
