How to Overcome Denial of Senior Care Needs from Family Members

When you start to notice the red flags that care at home is necessary for someone you love, it’s very common for the person to resist the idea. After all, acknowledging the need for assistance is not easy, especially for somebody who values their privacy and independence. Yet what do you do when another family member is the one pushing back? When you’ve reached an impasse within your family in regards to the need for senior care, there’s one very likely culprit to consider: denial of senior care needs.

Why Would a Family Member Deny the Need for Care in the Home?

Denial of senior care needs is often a coping mechanism employed to protect against feelings of helplessness or concern about an upcoming change. Your family member may feel much more comfortable sticking their head in the sand in order to maintain status quo. Or, they may not be as knowledgeable about the day-to-day care of the senior as you are, so they are not seeing the same concerns.

No matter the reason behind the denial, there are particular strategies that may help you see eye to eye and ensure the person you both love receives the necessary support and care.

1. Listen. Communication is a two-way street, so make certain to listen at least as much as you are presenting your own concerns and thoughts. Recognize and validate the person’s feelings. Try to the very best of your ability to help keep the discussion calm and on an even keel, avoiding sarcasm, anger, and comments you may later regret.
2. Educate. Instead of arguing from your own perspective, turn to trustworthy resources to validate your opinion. Research information on the progression of a particular health condition the older adult is managing. Learn together about the challenges of growing older, the dangers of senior falls, when it may be time to hand over the car keys, etc., and use that education as the jumping-off point for a discussion about how to ensure comfort and safety for the older adult.
3. Reinforce. Bring in a professional third party to strengthen the advantages of home care services in your specific situation. Make a scheduled appointment to consult with the older adult’s health care provider together. Often, hearing firsthand information from a healthcare expert is all that is needed to help a family member in denial change their viewpoint.

Also, be aware that it could be helpful to begin home care services slowly and gradually work up to more services over time. For instance, Home Sweet Home In-Home Care can begin with light housekeeping, preparing meals, and running errands or providing transportation initially. As the caregiver and senior form a bond of trust and companionship and the advantages of home care services become more evident, it is then easy to add in more hours or extra care tasks, for example, assistance with bathing and personal care needs.

When you are ready to explore home care services for someone you love, we’re here to speak with you and your family about choices and to answer any questions you might have. We are available to address any concerns a member of your family is feeling about initiating home care during a free consultation, right in the comfort of home.

If a family member is in denial of senior care needs, get in touch with Home Sweet Home In-Home Care at (866) 229-2505 any time to learn more about how we can help.