How to Allow Your Parent to
By Rick Lauber
Accept Help Graciously 7 Ideas to Allow Your Parent to Accept Help Understanding and accepting parental resistance is a good start. If you expect a battle, try these ideas to lead to a peaceful truce. These tips change can shift the conversation from "giving help" to "accepting help."
How can we help someone in need who doesn’t want any help? How do you allow your parent to accept help graciously, and preserve their pride and dignity? How do I deal with a difficult parent? These are some of the most often asked questions from well-meaning family caregivers. If you feel trapped in a power struggle, try not to take it personally. Understanding Parents' Resistance to Help Your aging parent may resist or refuse help for VALID REASONS, such as: I Habit. Your parent(s) could decline your outstretched hand out of habit. They’ve always fended for themselves, so why stop now? I Pride. Asking for help may signal their physical or mental decline. Asking one's
children for help is a stronger signal of decline, to some people. I Privacy. Is your aging loved one a private person by nature? Talking about one’s own health can be very personal, and seniors may choose not to share. I Cost. Your mother or father may feel the the expense unnecessary, or burdensome.
1. Let the person achieve something on their own. Even tying shoelaces can be tricky. Limited vision, reduced hand-eye coordination and stiff joints can make the routine difficult. If several attempts are unsuccessful, say something like, “I’ll get those laces tied for you”. 2. Reframe questions to statements. In the previous example, if you asked the question “Can I tie your shoelaces for you?” you may well hear “No.” Letting the person try, and then "pitching in"
This article is sponsored by Home Care Assistance, for more info visit ò www.homecareassistance.com
26 BOOM!
March 2020
RiverRegionBoom.com
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