There are a number of reasons seniors refuse care, including misconceptions about cost.A lot of today’s seniors grew up in the Great Depression. They lived through a period of time when the nation was pinching pennies and cutting corners. Frugality was ingrained in many of them very early on and quite often remains firmly in place for a lifetime.
So what occurs when seniors refuse care even when they are in need of it, have the financial capacity to afford it, but don’t want to spend the money needed for that care?
First, empathize. Understand that the person’s opinion is valid and determined by past life experiences. If the older adult seems to be resistant to the notion of spending money for the care they need, remind yourself of the emotions behind the behaviors. An additional layer of difficulty may be in simply accepting the need for care altogether, something that is far beyond mere frugality.
Spend some time shopping with the senior. Costs were much different years ago than they are today, for everything from a loaf of bread to a new car. In the event the older adult hasn’t had the opportunity to go shopping lately, go online to show them current pricing for items in general. Or check out this inflation calculator that shows you the value of $100 between one year and another. (For instance, $100 in 1950 is the equivalent of $1,166.59 today!) This will help if an older adult is experiencing “sticker shock” at the cost for care services.
Allow plenty of time for conversations. The determination to accept home care services is a life-altering one which frequently requires more than one conversation. Engage in discussions with a senior concerning the cost-cutting measures they’ve proudly followed through the years. Utilize these strengths to compromise if needed on covering the cost for care needs. For example, it might be that instead of full-time care, the older adult would accept a couple of hours of care each week for assistance with necessary tasks at home. Once the person is more comfortable with their caregiver and sees what a positive change home care makes, they may be more responsive to increasing services.
Additionally, it may possibly be helpful to enlist assistance from a third party – someone the senior trusts and respects, such as their attorney, religious leader, primary care physician, or a close friend. Engaging in a conversation with this individual in regards to the benefits to be attained through a home care assistant may help overcome any concerns about cost.
When an older adult is ready to learn more about elder care in Battle Creek, MI or the nearby areas, contact our Battle Creek home care experts at (866) 229-2505. We will be happy to discuss options that help you discover one that works best. Visit our Locations page for a full list of the Michigan communities we serve.