How to manage refusal of help among elderly people who are losing their autonomy
Older people may feel they are losing their independence when receiving home care.
Providing home help and care from a third party can be perceived as an intrusion. Accepting help means becoming aware of your loss of autonomy and the challenges of daily life. It's not easy to feel dependent on a third party to perform tasks you previously performed independently.
This can lead to resistance or even a complete refusal to receive help, whether out of pride or shame. When faced with gender rejection, it is important to secure the person's identity. To facilitate their acceptance, they must be recognized for who they are as individuals, not as "patients," "beneficiaries," or "dependent persons."
There are possible solutions...
Here are some other practical tips:
- Do not impose: It is important to avoid imposing assistance on the elderly person. Quality home support requires the consent and free choice of the person.
- Helping the older person realize that they need help: It is important to discuss with the loved one they are caring for the difficulties they encounter on a daily basis to get them to accept the need for help at home. It will also be necessary to explain that the loss of autonomy is not a personal failure, but that it is part of the natural cycle of life. The older person must realize that their entire family is worried and wants to find solutions to help them as best as possible, and thus allow them to remain at home in the best possible conditions.
- Present the benefits of being helped: For many dependent elderly people, the main fear is having to leave their home. Explain to your loved one how the intervention of a professional caregiver will help maintain their independence and allow them to remain in their home as long as possible. In addition, our caregivers work with the goal of supporting the elderly person so that they maintain their autonomy as much as possible. This is done by carrying out tasks together, at the elderly person's pace.
- Present the caregiver as a companion and not an employee: The senior does not want to feel like a patient receiving help and care from a healthcare facility. They will be much more receptive to the idea of receiving help from a caregiver like you. Choose a professional caregiver who has a similar personality and interests to your loved one. This will help build a friendly relationship and allow for better acceptance of the help after a few visits.
- Suggest a trial: Don't ask your loved one to immediately make a final decision about the type of help and care they receive. An initial trial visit will give your loved one the chance to experiment and find out what works best for them. Allow them to choose. It's important that there is a good rapport between the professional caregiver and your loved one. A successful trial can change your loved one's perception of home help and care.
…thanks to Amika
With Amika, there are no setup fees and no long-term commitments. Additionally, we pay special attention to matching caregivers and those receiving care to ensure a smooth transition.
If your loved one continues to refuse help and care, don't hesitate to involve their family doctor. They may be more receptive to the idea of receiving these types of services.
Further information on our approach and services is available here:
https://www.soinsamika.com/services or by contacting us at 514-543-4450 ext. 1
You can also visit our frequently asked questions section:
https://www.soinsamika.com/about