What Can You Do When Your Senior Doesn't Want Advice?
September 24, 2020
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No matter how long you’ve been a caregiver, you might just find that your elderly family member is not excited about the advice you want to share. That doesn’t mean all is lost, though.
Look at How Concerned You Really Need to Be
If the circumstances are an emergency or are something that involves your aging family member’s health, you may need to step in whether she wants your advice or not. This is particularly true if there’s some reason to believe she’s not able to make sound decisions right then. On the other hand, for most situations, you’re probably going to have to table your own concerns. That sounds easier than it is, of course.
Really Listen to What Your Senior Is Saying
When your elderly family member tells you that she’s not interested in advice or help, talk to her about why that is. She may feel more comfortable handling certain situations herself or she may simply feel as if it’s not as big a deal as you think it might be. Instead of trying to convert her to your way of thinking, try to just listen carefully to what she’s saying. What you hear can help you to put plans in place going forward.
Work through Your Feelings about That
There are going to be a lot of feelings around what’s going on with your elderly family member. You might be frustrated or scared, especially if you’re trying to help her to avoid what you feel is going to be a disastrous situation. The thing is, you can’t just force your elderly family member to handle things your way, especially if the situation isn’t a dire one. That might mean that you need to take some time and work through your feelings so that you can just support your elderly family member.
Put a Backup Plan Together
Just because your elderly family member isn’t interested in what you have to say now, that doesn’t mean that she won’t necessarily change her mind. There might be a time in the near future when she’s more open to listening to your advice or to accepting help. So, if you’ve got a backup plan in mind, you can quickly turn around and implement it. For example, your senior might not be excited about help from senior care providers, but her opinion can change. If you’ve already started looking at options, that can speed things along.
If you’re not pushing your senior to try doing things your way constantly, it might be easier for her to think things over and realize you’ve got some advice that can work.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Sugarhouse, UT, contact the caring staff at Interim Healthcare. Call today 801-401-3515.
Author: Michael and Marlena Hawkins, Owners, Interim HealthCare, Salt Lake City, UT
Interim HealthCare of Salt Lake City has been in business since February 2014, providing in-home personal care and support services that help our elderly and/or disabled neighbors live enriched, safe and independent lives. Our goal is to provide customized care and support services that make it possible for our clients to remain in the comfort of their own homes rather than relocate to an assisted living facility. Interim HealthCare is family owned by Michael and Marlana Hawkins, and is a Veteran Owned Small Business.
