How Respite Care Helps Overcome Defenses to Ignore Assisted Living
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Not everybody is going to be excited about major changes in life. Too often, as we get older, the changes that are forced upon us come from age, health issues, family concerns, loss, and a continual struggle. Assisted living offers a great opportunity for seniors to maximize their quality of life, even if they aren’t challenged tremendously by physical limitations or health issues (yet). When talking about assisted living or any other type of caregiver services, some aging men and women have plenty of defenses. They built these up over time, perhaps witnessing their own parents or other aging loved ones deal with struggles in their 70s or 80s.
Below are some of the common defenses some seniors may try to use to just short-circuit or completely cut off any conversations about assisted living before they get going.
The more you understand these defenses, the more prepared you might be to talk about caregiver services, which could be a great segue to helping them understand the value assisted living offers.
Common Defense #1: I don’t need help.
How often have almost every single one of us used this argument in the past? You don’t need help. You assume you can handle things without any assistance. That senior likely feels the same way, even though they move slower, are not as steady on their feet, or ask for help more often than they realize.
Just because they may not feel the need for help doesn’t mean they don’t require it. How could respite care at assisted living open their eyes?
Try overnight stays. Find an assisted living community in the area that allows seniors to spend the evening and overnight hours there, sleeping in a safe, comfortable room, and if they need any help during the night for whatever reason, the staff is ready to assist them.
Common Defense #2: I’m happy where I am.
Aren’t we all? Yet, time changes things. Even though the senior may feel he or she is clearly content where they are, that’s not always the case.
They just don’t know other options. Yes, they might have lived in the same place for decades, but that doesn’t mean they’re happiest where they are. They might be content or even happy to a degree, but why not try respite care at assisted living for a few days a week for a few weeks? Or spend an entire week or two at a local facility.
They may just realize with all the activities, peers their own age, and maybe even friends they haven’t seen in a long time there that they could be even happier.
Common Defense #3: You just want me to go away.
Caregiver Five Forks SC – How Respite Care Helps Overcome Defenses to Ignore Assisted Living
This is used far too frequently, but it’s a defense mechanism. The senior doesn’t really mean it. They’re hurting. They’re scared. They have misconceptions about what assisted living is all about.
Look into respite care and the senior can see firsthand for himself or herself the value it offers. Then, they will realize you don’t just want them to go away; you want them to enjoy life and be safe.
