028 – When Older Parents Resist Help: 4 Tips for Better Talks

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains four things family caregivers should try, for better conversations with older parents who are resisting help. She covers:

• How cognitive problems often complicate family conversations
• The importance of hearing and validating an older person’s emotions
• How to discuss an older person’s goals, and why safety shouldn’t automatically be the top priority
• Ways to respond when an older parent voices “unrealistic” goals, such as never having help at home
• Why it’s important for family caregivers to identify their own fears and desires, when it comes to aging parents

Related episode: 

022 – QA: Helping a Paranoid Older Parent and Checking Safety

Related Resources:

• 4 Things to Do When Your Parents Are Resisting Help
• 8 Behaviors to Take Note of If You Think Someone Might Have Alzheimer’s
• Being Mortal: Medicine & What Matters in the End