Senior Care Tips to Avoid Crossing the Line From Motivation to Bullying

As a family caregiver, you certainly experience an array of emotions each day: shared laughter over a joke with your loved one; worry due to a health concern; and certainly, every so often, irritations. We wish only the best for those we love, and when a senior loved one is resistant to doing something we know is best, it is often tough to figure out the best response.

The key is always to offer motivation and encouragement, while remaining mindful never to cross the line into bullying the senior. These senior care tips are good to bear in mind:

• There’s no one-size-fits-all. A strategy that works during one situation might be entirely ineffective in another. In case the older adult will not take a shower, for instance, you may just want to let the situation go and attempt again tomorrow. Or, maybe reframing bath time into a soothing spa activity will hold some more appeal. Incorporating humor may work effectively one day, whereas using a gentler, softer tone of voice might be the answer on another. Having a variety of strategies at the ready will help decrease irritation for both of you.
• Encourage your loved one to remain in charge. Have a heart-to-heart talk with the older adult in the course of a calm, peaceful few moments to obtain comments as to how the caregiving relationship is going, and what he or she wishes to see modified. It is worthwhile to then take to heart the senior’s advice and incorporate it into your caregiving strategy.
• Be aware of incremental bullying. Even though we certainly would not set out to bully a senior loved one into submission, it’s conceivable to gradually move from encouragement and inspiration into pushiness and forcefulness without recognizing it. Take an honest look at your inclinations in communicating with your loved one, and then do something to improve upon them if necessary.
• Remember the overarching objective. Apart from the many tasks required in providing care for a loved one, preserving a healthy, positive and fulfilling relationship with one another is paramount. If you realize that the worries of providing care are outweighing the advantages for either of you at any time, there is always the possibility of investigating alternate care options, allowing you to place your focus on enjoying quality time together with the older adult you love.

CareWorks Health Services is the ideal partner for family caregivers looking for the best home care Mission Viejo and the surrounding area has to offer. Our caregiving staff are highly trained and knowledgeable in the multiple facets of senior home care, and will supply the help and support family members need to preserve healthy relationships with those they love. Contact us online or call (949) 859-4700 and request an in-home consultation to learn the real difference respite care can make in both a senior’s quality of life and yours.