As a family caregiver, you unquestionably experience a wide range of feelings throughout the day: shared laughter over a joke with your loved one; worry due to a health concern; and of course, from time to time, irritations. We would like only the best for people we love, but if elderly parents won’t accept help at home, it may be challenging to choose the best response.
The important thing is to try to offer motivation and encouragement, while being vigilant never to cross the line into bullying a senior loved one. These tips are good to keep in mind:
- There is no one-size-fits-all. An approach that has worked during one situation could be thoroughly ineffective in another. In case the senior refuses to take a shower, for instance, you may simply want to let the matter go and try again the next day. Or, maybe reframing bath time into a tranquil spa activity will hold increased appeal. Adding humor may work well one day, while using a kinder, softer tone of voice could be the solution on another. Having an assortment of strategies at the ready can really help decrease irritation for both of you.
- Encourage the senior to remain in control. Have a heart-to-heart chat with the senior during a relaxed, peaceful moment to solicit comments regarding how the caregiving relationship is going, and what he or she would want to see changed. It’s important to take to heart the senior’s comments and integrate them into your caregiving strategy.
- Be cautious of progressive bullying. Although we certainly would never set out to bully a senior into submission, it’s possible to gradually progress from encouragement and motivation into pushiness and forcefulness without noticing it. Take a sincere review of your inclinations in communicating with your loved one, and then make a plan to improve upon them if required.
- Remember the overarching priority. Above and beyond a variety of tasks necessary in providing care for a senior loved one, preserving a healthy, happy and fulfilling relationship with one another is vital. If you find that the worries of providing care are outweighing the advantages for either of you at any time, there is always the possibility of researching alternate care options, letting you place your focus on spending quality time together with the older adult you love.
JFS Care is the ideal partner for family caregivers. Our caregiving staff are professionally trained and knowledgeable in the many facets of senior care, and will provide the assistance family members need to maintain healthy relationships with those they love. Call us at (213) 383-2273 and request an in-home consultation to discover how we can help you with professional home care assistance in Beverly Hills or the surrounding areas. Click here to view our full service area.