What If Your Parent With Dementia Refuses Help?

It’s an unfortunate reality that many caregivers of adult relatives with dementia face: their loved one stubbornly refuses assistance. Whether they are too proud to be a burden or feel like giving up on things is inevitable, it can be challenging behavior for a caregiver to continue aiding their parent if they know they’re not going to take the care options and attention offered.

But what if a parent with dementia refuses help? Knowing how to deal with a situation where you’re a caregiver, it’s possible to help your family operate despite your parent’s declining service.

Importance of Knowing How To Deal With A Parent With Dementia Who Refuses Help?

While it can be a frustrating situation, caregivers should learn how to deal with a parent who refuses help. For one thing, if you ignore your parent’s wish not to be helped, they are likely to feel disrespected. It can lead to lasting feelings of resentment and harm your relationship irreparably.

You also need to know how to handle a parent who refuses help because it’s simply good for their health and well-being. Research shows that a lack of physical mobility can lead to depression and loss of self-esteem in the elderly. By allowing your parent to continue refusing care services, you’re potentially putting them at risk for these unfavorable conditions.

The key is to learn how to handle a person with dementia who refuses help in ways that avoid both resentment and undue strain. You’ll need to find a way for your elderly parents to accept assistance without forcing them into it or making them feel belittled.

Here are some suggestions for learning how to deal with a parent with dementia who refuses help.

How To Deal With A Parent Who Refuses Help?

1. Treat them politely and respectfully

If you’re dealing with a parent who already feels like they’re losing their independence, you need to be careful not to make them feel even more that way. While they might refuse your help, you still can treat them nicely and politely. You can acknowledge that they want their independence, but you want to offer what assistance is possible.

2. Get them to see things your way

If a dementia patient refuses help, you’ll need to try and get them to see things your way. They might be feeling stubborn because they’re convinced that what you’re saying is wrong. Rather than giving up, it would help if you were willing to show them how you’re correct, so they can understand why they should accept dementia care.

3. Offer direct assistance rather than passive assistance

If your parent with dementia refuses to want you to help them, don’t just let them be. Offer as much level of care as they’ll take and support them as best you can. Please don’t feel like you need to do it all for them!

4. Stay calm and avoid pushing

You have to act calm when dealing with a stubborn elderly parent who refuses help from their loved ones. You can’t make them do something they don’t want to do, even if you feel like they forget themselves.

5. Don’t force them into things

You need to be careful not to move your parent with dementia into something they don’t want to try. You can offer help but don’t feel like you need to force them into it. The worst thing you could do is make it all about you!

6. Ask for help from others

Even if your parent with dementia refuses help, you can’t do everything independently. Get the support of professional caregivers and family members to ensure that you’re getting as much care plan as possible while your care recipient refuses it.

7. Get professional care

If you need assistance dealing with a parent who refuses help, you can get it. Elderly care services are available to help family caregivers like you find the patient care that they need. You’ll need to request assistance, but they will provide everything necessary to help your family function successfully despite your parent’s refusal of help.

8. Use adaptive equipment

Adaptive or mobility equipment can help a parent with dementia who refuses help from family members. Whether they are afraid to use stairs or need help dressing, the use of this kind of equipment can give your parent what they need without you stepping in.

9. Be patient but persistent

Remember that your parent with dementia might have trouble accepting your help. While you shouldn’t push too hard, you need to keep trying to be successful as a caregiver. Be persistent but also patient while you work to help your parent who refuses help.

10. Praise them when they do accept your help

Don’t get into the habit of assuming that your parent with dementia will refuse every bit of help you offer. If you find that they’re accepting things, praise them for it! You can let them know how proud you are of their willingness to get assistance.

11. Allow them to remain independent

If you’re a caregiver and find yourself dealing with a parent who refuses help, don’t feel like it’s the end of the world. You can allow your parent to remain independent but make it clear that you want them to accept assistance as well.

12. Provide some help yourself

You should always give some assistance to your parent. It’s good psychology for them to see that you’re also there and available for use if they need it. If you feel as though you’re too tired and don’t know how to proceed with helping, ask a trusted other adult for advice so you can figure everything out together.

13. Don’t forget to take care of yourself

As a caretaker, you need to take care of yourself as well. While you should still work through your issues with a stubborn parent, make sure you get enough rest and eat well. If you’re feeling frustrated, don’t hesitate to contact help for yourself.

14. Listen to your parent’s concerns

If you have a parent with dementia who refuses help, listen to what they have to say and know their reasons. They may want you to keep the peace or be there if they need anything. You do need to help them in other ways if you’re trying to help them accept care, and this includes listening!

15. Stay strong

If you find yourself dealing with a parent who refuses help, remember to keep your head held high. It is not the end of the world, and it doesn’t mean that your parent doesn’t want protective services. Just remember to not get too frustrated or angry about it, and you’ll be able to deal with this kind of situation well!

By knowing how to deal with a parent with dementia who refuses help, you can ensure that they are taken care of the best way possible, even when they decide to live on their own.