It can be challenging when an elderly parent refuses senior care, especially if they require assistance with daily tasks or have medical needs. Here are some steps you can take to overcome this challenge:
Step 1: Select an Appropriate Delivery of the Message
If you are one of several siblings that have to figure out how to deliver the message to your aging parent that they need assisted living care, you need to decide on the message and messenger(s). It isn’t fair for one single sibling to shoulder the responsibility of delivering this message so all should be present. You all should also be on the same page before you speak to your aging parent. If one person displays signs that they aren’t on board, it can make the process more difficult and put siblings at odds with one another.
Step 2: Find the Right Senior Facility
Depending on several factors associated with your aging parent’s cognitive and physical capabilities, you might have several options to review. You can try to handle this portion of the process or you could rely on Senior Living Specialists to find the right type of care using our intimate local knowledge of those care options in the state of Texas.
Step 3: The More Details a Senior Facility Has, The Higher Chance of Success
You may think that just giving a brief medical history of your aging parent will be enough for the facility to be successful in the care of your loved one. If available, try to supply a list of challenges the facility may encounter taking care of your loved one and also any other personal care details they might need. If they can be proactive in their care and not reactive based on this information, it will set all parties up for a higher chance of success.
Step 4: Don’t Be a Stranger to Staff
Overcoming the refusal of care doesn’t end once your aging parent has moved into a care facility. If they continue to perceive a bad experience once they have moved in, they might use it to reason moving back out (or elsewhere). If you can, try to get familiar with the staff that regularly interacts with your parent and give them insights to their behavior. It can be vital to them providing a high level of care!
Step 5: Start by Getting Them “Pieces” Of Help
It can be overwhelming and seem to come out of nowhere when you first approach your parent about moving to a senior care facility. You can make this less jarring by incrementally getting them help with certain aspects of their lives. You can start with things like grocery delivery or hiring lawn care. The more you can show them how these pieces of help make their life easier, the less resistant they might be to moving into a care facility.
Step 6: Always Be Listening
One of the quickest ways an aging parent can become frustrated with the move into assisted living is not being heard. It can be easy as a caregiver to begin acting as the “parent” but you still need to listen to their needs. It could be small requests but listening to those feelings and requests can make the difference in them staying in assisted living.
Remember, it’s important to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. It may take time for your parent to accept senior care, so be patient in your efforts to find a solution that works for everyone involved. Senior Living Specialists have helped thousands of families through this process and can help guide you to make the transition easier for all parties.
