Menstuff® has compiled information concerning getting a family
member to ask for help.
The Hardest Challenge: Getting A Family Member To Accept
Help
Factor: Accepting help is viewed as an admission that the individual is no longer self-sufficient or "in control."
Possible Solution: If possible, it is best for the care receiver to be involved in the decision-making process. Have your loved one become as active as possible from the beginning such as making telephone calls or being present at interviews. This will allow the person to feel more in control and make the outcome more palatable.
People feel in charge of their lives when they have all of the information. When "selling" a solution, be able to provide your loved one with the facts.
For example:
When the care receiver is advanced in age or confused, it is particularly important to make changes slowly. It may be necessary to discuss the need for a service many times before the individual understands and accepts the changes. Make changes in small steps, or introduce new activities for a very short period of time at first, so the care receiver is not confused or overwhelmed by the situation.
Factor: To some people, using community services feels like the equivalent of accepting charity or "going on welfare."
Possible Solution: Community-based services (particularly those offered at reduced fees or free of charge) are frequently funded through taxes. If this is the case, you can help the family member understand that he or she has "pre-paid" for these services, and it is not the same as accepting charity.
Factor: An obstacle to using services like home health aides can be an unwillingness to trust outsiders. Many people do not want strangers in their homes. They feel vulnerable. While only a very few have been involved in incidents of abuse involving service people or repairmen, many have heard stories of such things.
Possible Solution: Everyone has a right to their feelings and as a caregiver, it is important to acknowledge the fears your loved one may have. Instead of telling Dad that he doesn't need to be afraid, recognize that a little fear is a healthy thing. Explain what you have done to insure his safety and protect his valuables, such as: performing criminal background checks on any in-home workers; only dealing with agencies that are reputable, licensed and bonded; and getting referrals from qualified professionals. Knowing that you take Dad's concerns seriously will help him feel more comfortable.
Source: This article is reprinted with permission
of www.FamilyCareAmerica.com
a nationally recognized resource that provides families with
interactive care planning tools, resource locators and helpful
checklists to make caregiving easier. The company also provides
corporations with a Work/Life program for employed caregivers. For
more caregiving information, visit them on the Web.
© 2001 FamilyCare America, Inc.
See part 2 in September, 2001
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