As we all grow older, many of us fear the loss of independence. Because of the slow but inevitable loss of full mobility, elderly adults feel the need to refuse the offer of help. It is hard for most elders to allow other people, especially strangers, to assist with a life they once had control over. Some give so much fuss that it can become overwhelming and unbearable to care for the senior. If you are having issues with coping with a patient that won’t accept having a home health care provider, here are a few things to help you.
Reasons for the Patient to Refuse Help from In-Home Caregivers
A lot of the time, caregivers are met with angry patients that don’t want them there. If the senior’s family hired a caregiver, there is a need, even if there is push back from the elderly adult. As a caregiver, it is essential that the underlying reason for the senior’s refusal to be found in the situation.
For many, an outsider’s presents could give off the wrong impression because they are a non-family member. Or it may suggest to the senior that the family doesn’t want to take responsibility for their care anymore, and they could be hurt. This makes seniors very vulnerable and creates the perfect storm for lashing out and becoming hostile. Here are a few reasons why your senior may be refusing your help as a caregiver.
Loss of Independence
Losing your independence as an adult is unbearable. Seniors tend to have trouble coming to terms with the need for help. Of course, aging is not an agile process, so you really can’t blame them for digging their heels into the ground, trying to slow downtime. If your senior is still sound of mind, hiring a caregiver allows the senior to stay in their own home. This is a primary reason why they may believe they don’t need the help.
Because they can still stay home and not be moved into a facility to help them, they try to hold onto their independence a little longer. You could ask the family member to present the alternative if they aren’t so yielding to a caregiver’s idea; this may help the senior understand why the caregiver was hired.
Strangers
Trust issues are a big concern for a lot of seniors, as well as their family members. Inviting a care professional into the home is a big step for the family, even a more significant step for the senior who requires care. To ensure the lack of worry and stress, the family members should be in the hiring process. This will help build trust and awareness of who is entering the home, especially with the senior.
When the older person knows that the family handpicked the caregiver, they may let loose to the control’s reigns and allow the caregiver to do their job. When this is done incorrectly, the seniors can suffer from anxiety and stress of having a stranger in their home. It can make the experience unbearable for both parties.
Dementia
If your senior has dementia, it could be a complicated process. Because of dementia heights fear, you may receive a lot of push back from the patient. It all depends on the progression of the disease as well. They will be unable to a part of the hiring process and decision making due to their condition. Your senior could suffer from paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions, and as a caregiver, you need to know what to do and how to handle it. You can also suggest that the family member present for the first few visits ensure the senior’s comfortability.
How to Have a Senior Accept In-Home Caregiver
The family knows the senior best, so have them more present and show their comfortability with you as the caregiver. Once the senior sees that they trust you, they will ease into the idea of having you around. You want to ensure the patient that their family member is still the primary caregiver, and you are there to assist and that you are there to monitor the process of their well-being.
You want to have a completely open communication policy with the family member; so that any issues that arise can be handled right away. As a caregiver, you will experience stubborn seniors. When you understand their resistance, it will make the world different in their care. You will be able to brainstorm together and get better solutions to make sure they are comfortable doing your best job.
Conclusion
It is not easy helping a stubborn elder and headstrong about not having you around to help. This isn’t an uncommon thing, and many seniors don’t want to control certain things in their lives. TLC Nursing has fantastic staff to ensure that you are doing your best job ability and have dealt with seniors who may refuse their team. They will give you the best advice on how to handle certain situations.
