5 Solutions of Elderly Resistance
When caring for the elderly, one of the most difficult tasks you can face is resistance to treatment. How do you assist someone who refuses to accept help? Understand why patients can become resistant to treatment and how to encourage cooperation. What really causes resistance?
If you are a caregiver, you must know that these combative aspects are really hard to tame. You need to have the right motivation to make this possible. There are many ways on how you can do this, one is by reading books that will help you feel like you are not alone in this journey. Eleanor Gaccetta’s book, One Caregiver’s Journey is the perfect one for that. Gaccetta was a sole caregiver for a loved one. She will tell you her story of how she coped up with the challenges she encountered over her 9 ½ year caregiving journey.
If someone requires assistance, he or she is most likely grieving a loss — physical, mental, or emotional — as well as the loss of someone special. Accepting assistance can imply giving up privacy and adapting to new routines. As a result that, your loved one might feel scared and helpless, angry that he or she requires assistance, or guilty about being a burden on family and friends. In certain situations, he or she might be stubborn, have mental health issues, or actually believe that accepting help is a sign of weakness. He or she may be concerned about the cost of some forms of treatment as well. Memory loss will make it difficult for your loved one to comprehend why he or she requires assistance. This is where resistance to care comes into the picture.
There are many ways on how you can deal with resistance. This blog will help you understand them. The listed points below are some of the ways on how you can handle it:
Understand Their Stories
In order for you to understand what they are going through you have to get to know their stories. Talk to them like how you talk with your friends. Once they feel like you listen to them, they will feel comfortable with you. This is also a great way to feel connected with them. Understanding them is very critical so that you will know what goes on with their mind. And, you will know how to approach them.
Know How to Approach Them
Once you understand them and their feelings, you will be able to know how to approach them at different times. First, always remember that understanding is the key. If your attempt to help is refused, don’t feel disheartened. It could be better to involve other family members to help relieve tension. Timing is also crucial, so be sure to have the conversation when everyone’s mood is up. However, for this to work out, the involvement should be constructive and supportive. Your elderly member should not feel that he/she is being cornered. Keep the atmosphere light and cheerful. Start the conversation by discussing what your parent is still capable of doing for themselves. From there, you can talk about areas where they need help, and suggest getting assistance.
Make Them Decide
Sometimes, a person needs to have a feeling of control. The elderly ones often feel like these are not given to them. Every decision they make must be made with permission. That is why, with every chance you get, you need to make them decide on the little things. Ask them their preference from time to time. You may not meet all their wishes but it is still important to take them into consideration. As long as you are able to explain them well and the proper way whenever there are rejections.
Always Encourage Them
In their state of mind, there may be thought of giving up. You need to help them with this by encouraging them the positive side of life. As mentioned, you need to be their friend. Be someone they can talk about everything. This way, you can remind them about the beauty of life.
Give Them Time for Themselves
It may seem like they need you at all times, but you should also consider giving them time to for themselves. A time for them to enjoy the activities they enjoy doing. You can also take them outside for sightseeing, preferably nature to make them see the beauty of life.
Know When You Must Decide
For many elderly people, combative behavior is part of their illness. Many times, they act out or become angry because of an illness and not because they recognize this is happening. It is important for caregivers to understand the many phases or components of the particular illness such as dementia.
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