New Caregiver Support Series From Home Instead Senior Care Of Greater Phoenix Helps Families Overcome Resistance Of Seniors Who Need Help
Home Instead Senior Care of Greater Phoenix helps families overcome resistance of seniors who need help. A study recently found that more than half of caregivers said aging relatives are resistant to care by family caregivers or professionals.
- Phoenix-Mesa, AZ (1888PressRelease) September 01, 2010 - Just when you thought that a family caregiver's job couldn't get more difficult, consider this: Many of the households caring for a senior in Arizona are trying to help an aging relative who'd rather not have help.
A study of family caregivers who responded to a survey conducted for the Home Instead Senior CareŽ network, revealed that more than half of the respondents (51 percent) said that their aging relative was very resistant to care. These seniors often object to help whether it's from a family caregiver or a professional who tries to come into their homes to assist.
"This is a real problem for family caregivers worried about the safety of a senior loved one who might be forgetting food on the stove or neglecting to take their medications," said Debbie Seplow, owner of the Home Instead Senior CareŽ of Greater Phoenix. "Some seniors are so resistant I've heard stories of them calling the police when their family members have arranged for a caregiver to visit their home."
But experts say that keeping fiercely independent seniors safe at home isn't a lost cause; there are solutions for them and their family caregivers. That's why the we're launching Caring for Your Parents: Education for the Family CaregiverSM.
Why do seniors resist help? "If seniors admit they need help, they feel their independence is in question," said Seplow. "Seniors believe that once they acknowledge they need help, they'll lose control of their affairs. They are trying to maintain dignity. Unless they feel they can trust someone, they resist change. I believe it's the fear that life as they've known it will be taken away from them."
Sometimes seniors only want help from a son or daughter, which can put undue pressure on that family caregiver who feels he or she can't call for professional help. Most caregivers can go into "crisis mode" to rally around a loved one in the short-term, "but you can't be totally immersed in a crisis mode long-term without your own family, work and health suffering," according to family caregiving consultant Dr. Amy D'Aprix, who holds a Ph.D. and master's degree in social work and is author of From Surviving to Thriving: Transforming Your Caregiving Experience.
The strain can take a particular toll on working family caregivers. The Home Instead Senior Care study revealed that 42 percent of caregivers spend more than 30 hours a week caregiving. That's the equivalent of a second full-time job.
And that's what makes countering that resistance to assistance so important. "Many times family caregivers make assumptions but never ask: 'Mom, I've noticed that every time I bring up having someone come in to assist, you don't want help. Why is that?' Sometimes the parent doesn't realize they're being resistant," D'Aprix added.
"Also, reassuring a senior loved one that you have the same goal in mind will help," D'Aprix said. "Start with: 'My goal for you is to be independent, too. You know I can't be here all the time. A little extra assistance will help you stay at home.'"
Seplow said the battle to turn resistance into assistance can be fierce, like seniors who call police when a professional caregiver shows up. "Education can help arm family caregivers with the tools they need to create a win-win for everyone."
About Home Instead Senior Care of Greater Phoenix - Arizona's industry leader in providing quality home care delivered by our dedicated team of trained CAREGivers. Since 1997 senior residents of Greater Phoenix have enjoyed the benefits of Aging in Place with safety, dignity and independence. Family owned, hands-on owners Debbie and Andy Seplow strive to meet the needs and demands of those we serve today and those we will serve tomorrow. "To Us, It's Personal" is our expression of the belief we hold; it's a direct reflection of the care and commitment we give to our clients, their families and those CAREGivers we interact with on a daily basis.
Contact information:
Debbie Seplow, President
Certified Senior Advisor
Home Instead Senior Care, Greater Phoenix
email: debbie.seplow ( @ ) homeinstead dot com
phone: 602.588.7725
website: www.homeinstead.com/greaterphoenix
Blog: www.homecareinphoenix.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/homeinsteadseniorcaregreaterphoenix
###
space
space
Satisfied Users & 
Approved Press Releases
Print
Email
Report Spam