Caregiving for a Stubborn Elderly Loved One

Caregiving for a Stubborn Elderly Loved One: Having a parent or other elderly relative who is stubborn is not uncommon. It is important to remember as we age, we become more set in our ways; and are more resistant to change. But it’s more than that. As seniors get older; they recognize and pay attention that they cannot do everything they used to be able to do for themselves.

Some seniors feel this loss more acutely than others. As they may be used to being providers for their family, or they may value their independence. Regardless of why they feel that way, one of the ways they deal with that feeling is denial. They deny that they need help. And are offended or insulted at the suggestion that they cannot do for themselves what they’ve always done. This can lead to conflict, especially when the elderly person’s needs are obviously not being met.

Caring For Stubborn Parents Can Be Frustrating

You’re busy, and you have your own household to take care of. But you recognize that your elderly parents are in need of assistance, which they don’t want. It’s important to recognize that in many cases, elderly people actually do realize they need help, but they refuse it anyway.

Sometimes it’s denial, as mentioned above, and sometimes it’s a way of them saying they don’t want to be a bother to you. They may recognize that you are busy, and you have your own household to take care of. They may remember when they were in your shoes, with elderly parents to take care of while also trying to take care of you as a child.

By claiming not to need help, they think they are relieving you of the burden of having to do the kind of caregiving they had to do. Of course, they also probably know it won’t work.

Is a Professional In-Home Caregiver Right For Your Elderly Parents?

If the reason your elderly relatives don’t want to accept help is because they are afraid of the burden it will put on you, it may be best to consider a professional in-home caregiver. An at-home aide can help with many tasks such as personal care, laundry, medication reminders, and more.

The process is easy, and if you work with the right home care agency, your parents or elderly relatives will be able to approve who becomes their caregiver. And the best part is, if they qualify under certain state guidelines, they won’t pay a cent for the cost of the caregiver.

“But My Elderly Parents Are Really Stubborn” – Becoming Your Parents’ Paid Caregiver

It may be that your elderly parents who need help at home don’t want to have a stranger in their home helping with chores and taking care of them. And they may still be worried about how the burden of taking care of them will affect you. It may be possible to deal with both objections at once by becoming a paid caregiver for your parents. The state will pay for you to become your elderly parents’ caregiver, assuming they qualify for caregiving services.

The Benefits of Becoming a Paid Caregiver For Your Elderly Parents

For starters, becoming a paid caregiver for your elderly parents can be a rewarding career choice. You’ll get to spend more time with your parents than you would have, and you’ll be able to alleviate your (and their) stress about getting them some help around the home.

Also, as a paid caregiver, you’ll be able to overcome some of their stubborn refusals of help. Because every elderly person who receives home care gets a formal care plan, outlining the services that are needed and that will be paid for.

Getting Started as a Paid Caregiver For Your Elderly Parents

You’ll want to work with a home care agency that provides paid training and that will take care of paperwork and communications with the state agency that approves at-home care. They should also provide a way to document your caregiving activities, keep you up to date with training requirements, and provide capable fill-in care when you can’t be there.

Home Care Powered by AUAF Can Help Your Stubborn Parents Get Help

If your elderly parents find themselves needing more help around the house than you can provide, or if you’d like to become a paid caregiver for them in order to help them stay in their home, Home Care Powered by AUAF can help. Our dedicated staff and professional caregivers are here to find your elderly parents the perfect caregiver, which may be you! Call us at 773-274-9262 or contact us to find out more about Home Care Powered by AUAF.

In-Home Care Precautions During COVID-19

We provide care to vulnerable senior populations. That is why we are taking extra precautions when continuing to provide service and care. Staff is receiving additional guidance when they are providing home care or any other face-to-face visits.

This comes in the form of a COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire. There are also a variety of other precautions we are taking for our staff and home care recipients during this time.

We take the safety and care of all those we reach very seriously. And are doing all that we can to stay informed about best practices during this time.

Caring for Underrepresented Communities

Findings from CLESE, the Coalition on Limited English Speaking Elderly, certain minority and immigrant groups were identified as being less represented in elderly care.

This is, in part, due to taboos and cultural norms about having members outside the family care for you as you age. It forced many seniors to go without necessary care or be forced into nursing homes.

It also meant family members that did forego their jobs; could have significant financial strain put on them due to the necessity of caring for their elderly parents. Moreover, the AARP even found that one of four unpaid caregivers take on debt; while three in ten have stopped saving altogether because of unpaid family care giving.

That’s why the introduction of the community care program was so vital to meeting the needs of underrepresented communities. As well as creating better long-term care options for families around Illinois. Choosing to care for a family member shouldn’t have to come at the cost of your own livelihood.

Caregiver Employment

Home Care Powered by AUAF offers a competitive hourly rate of $15 an hour to our caregivers. This rate is dependent upon performance. Successful performance is completion and submission of monthly task sheets and timely punch in and out.

We also offer additional compensation for traveling time and mileage. This amount is higher than the average pay rate for caregivers around the country.