What to do if Your Loved One Refuses Home Health Care

Home health care is an excellent resource for people who need support in their homes. Home care helps many people, such as those who are homebound, suffering from memory loss, adjusting to a new diagnosis or having trouble completing daily activities. However, what happens when your loved one refuses to receive this help?

It’s a normal response for older adults to insist that they are fine on their own. Usually, these feelings are triggered because the person doesn’t want to feel helpless or like a burden to their loved ones. If your mom, dad or grandparent is refusing extra support, here are a few ways to address their concerns.

Help Your Loved One Feel Empowered

No one likes to feel like they are losing their independence. To some, accepting help feels like throwing in the towel. Reassure your loved one that this is not the case. In fact, home health care often helps people to be more independent.

Present your loved one with different options so that they feel in control of the decision. Also, be prepared to list out the benefits, such as becoming stronger and having more free time to do the things they enjoy.  

Understand What’s Holding Your Relative Back

Sometimes, it’s helpful to find out what’s holding your loved one back from accepting help. If you can understand this, you can find a way to move forward. Be sensitive to your loved one’s concerns, even if they seem trivial.

Here are a few examples of common concerns that people have about home health care and approaches to dealing with them.

-Nervous of strangers coming into the home. Choose VNA Health Group as we employ top nurses and staff.

-Worried about the financial costs. Medicare only covers home health care if you qualify for the benefit. Some families may have to pay for this service out of pocket. However, you won’t know how much the services cost until you look at the numbers-. Plus, you can’t put a price on an improved quality of life.

-Concerned about losing independence. Home health care is designed to improve patient independence, not take it away. Also, having assistance at home leaves more time for socializing and enjoying hobbies, which in turn, promotes independence.

Share Your Own Concerns

While you don’t want to make your loved one feel bad about needing your help, it can be beneficial to share your own concerns. Maybe you are feeling pressured and don’t have enough hours in the day to check on your loved one, make sure they are eating and taking their medication and so on. By accepting help, your loved one is making your life easier.

Bring in a Trusted Friend or Family Member

Some parents have a hard time taking direction from their children. If you think that another person may have an easier time convincing your loved one to accept home health care, ask them to talk with your relative. This person could be a friend, family member, clergy member, doctor, neighbor, etc. You can also call a family meeting to ensure that everyone is on the same page and approach the matter together.

Some people are open to home health care, and some are not. Be patient, and realize that it often takes several conversations before a person warms to this idea. Eventually, your relative may be open to taking your suggestions.

Do you have a loved one that needs home health care? Contact VNA Health Group today to learn more about our home services.

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