5 Tips to Use When an Older Parent Refuses to Listen

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Tips to Use When an Older Parent Refuses to Listen in Winnipeg, MB

You love your senior parent, and you want what’s best for him or her. Still, there may be times when he or she won’t listen to you, no matter how well-intentioned your advice or suggestions happen to be. While you may be frustrated by your parent’s stubbornness, there are ways to manage situations like this and effectively get your message through. Here are five things you can do to achieve this goal.

1. Don’t Treat Your Parent Like a Child

If you slip into role-reversal mode and lecture, scold, or belittle your parent, you’ll just be met with resistance and probably a dash of anger and resentment. You’ll be more likely to communicate effectively if you remain calm and respectful while saying what you have to say. Remember, your parent is still an adult, no matter how old he or she is or what physical or cognitive limitations he or she may have. A professional caregiver will treat you and your loved one with the compassion and respect you deserve. Senior care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. 

2. Pick the Right Time & Place

Seniors sometimes won’t listen if they’re already in bad moods or preoccupied with other activities, such as watching a favorite TV show. If this is the case, put your planned conversation on hold. Instead, boost your odds of having a productive interaction by looking for times when your loved one is already relaxed and willing to be fully involved in the conversation.

3. Use an Indirect Approach

Let’s say your parent is giving you a hard time about going to the doctor for an annual checkup. Instead of constantly attempting to push the point and wear your loved one down, get him or her to “give in” in an indirect way that also allows him or her some control over the situation. For example, you might ask “Do you want to get something to eat before or after your appointment?” This way, you’re offering some options that are completely up to your loved one while still getting an implied agreement to go to the doctor, which is all you really wanted in the first place.

4. Ask Questions to Get to the Root of the Problem

More often than not, your parent has another reason for not listening but isn’t willing to tell you what it is. If you suspect this might be the case, ask questions in a calm, reassuring manner to encourage your loved one to tell you what’s really bothering him or her. For instance, your loved one could be putting off cataract surgery because of fear or resisting making certain home modifications because doing so makes him or her feel old or less independent. Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of respite care Winnipeg seniors can depend on.

5. Get Some Additional Support

If you’re still not having any luck, realize your parent may refuse to listen to you simply because you’re his or her child, no matter how old and experienced you are. A possible solution here is to get some help from other people your parent will likely listen to. These individuals might include your older sibling, your parent’s trusted friends, clergy members, your aunts and uncles, or a doctor. Just make sure to do this in a casual way so it doesn’t come off like a forced intervention.  Your loved one may be more willing to listen to suggestions and requests when they come from a professional caregiver. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality at-home care. Winnipeg families trust Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably. For compassionate, reliable in-home care, trust the experienced professionals from Home Care Assistance. Reach out to one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (204) 489-6000 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services. 

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