Persuading Aging Parents to Get Help: 4 Strategies for Peace of Mind
Naborforce - DFW
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Jun 04, 2024
Texas - Dallas, Collin, SE Denton & Rockwall Counties
Persuading Aging Parents to Get Help: 4 Strategies for Peace of Mind
Persuading an aging parent to ask for occasional help can be challenging. With some planning and understanding, you can come up with a game plan to persuade a strong-willed parent to welcome a landing hand every now and again. Read the 4 Strategies to Convince an Older Parent to Consider Getting Help below.
Strategy 1: Identify Every Single Service Where Your Aging Parent Could Use Help
Small Actions Can Add Up
Start with your ideal scenario in mind. If you had a magic wand, what would you want help with right now? Maybe it’s some light cooking every now and again, or maybe it’s organizing and sorting leftover mail. Whatever it might be, come up with a full list and identify all of the existing services where it’s completely acceptable to hire a service. For example, requesting help with a ride or an occasional meal is totally normal, even desirable, with Uber and Doordash. If a parent is comfortable requesting Doordash, maybe they’ll be open to a person coming in to help around the house just as easily. If your parent takes rides on Uber, maybe it won’t be so far off to welcome assistance with a grocery delivery.
Strategy 2: Understand the Source of Your Elderly Parent’s Reaction to Getting Help
Tackle the Root Cause First
Often, a refusal for help isn’t about the action itself but something much bigger. The exact cause would depend on the individual aging parent, but some reasons could relate to a potential change in identity, perception, and social values. In situations like these, it’s helpful to insert your parent directly into the conversation. There are many ways to get at a root cause, but here are some starters:
Ask your parent to describe themselves in 5 words
Ask your parent to draw themselves on their ideal day
Ask your parent to say what’s their favorite thing they love about themselves
Ask your parent to say what they think family members think about them
Strategy 3: Reframe Asking for Help into a Concept that Matches Fit a Parent’s Core Belief
It’s All about Perception
Now that you have some insight into who your older parent really wants to be, you can develop a simple communication strategy that changes the way they view asking for help. For example, your parent might be very comfortable being served a meal at a restaurant, but they might cringe at the thought of someone coming in their home to cook. What if having someone come in at home is thought of as a convenient service rather than an ask for help? What if someone coming in to cook at home is reframed as a way to save time to spend with grandchildren instead? These are some ways you can flip the script away from someone needing help to someone choosing to get help so they can have more time doing the things they love. After all, anyone, at any stage, can use a little help.
Strategy 4: Reach Out to Friends or Family Members Who Have Used Similar Services
Social Proof Can Make a Difference
Sometimes, all it takes is a nudge from our social circle to feel comfortable with a decision. How many times have you been wary of trying something, only to find yourself being persuaded by a close friend? Our parents might think the same way. Can you think of anyone in your older parent’s community who has previously used a helping hand? Consider asking them to have a casual conversation with your parents and briefly mentioning their experience. The more people talk about a certain topic, the more persuasive it is. That’s the power of social networks.
It’s never easy to convince a parent that it’s time to ask for help. After all, a parent has spent a quarter of a lifetime (or more!) caring for their children, that it can be hard to change their perspective of caregiving. With the 5 strategies on persuading an aging parent to ask for help, we hope that you can open up the conversation with an aging parent to view asking for help as a way to a flourishing, vibrant future rather than a sign of weakness or helplessness. Getting help frees up time, and is there anything more important than extra time to do what we love?
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Local Services By This Author
Naborforce
Aging in Place 3015 West Moore Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23230Nabors Helping Older Neighbors Naborforce is a new service that is bridging the gap between full independence and home/companion care by providing light support for older adults who just need a friendly hand from time to time. We connect our clients to a network of Nabors for social engagement and on-demand support for errands, transportation and help around the home. Its who to call for help with all those little things that keep your parents or you independent and happy. Whether youre busy balancing your career, raising kids, live out of town or just need a little support, let Naborforce provide a backup son or daughter on-demand. Our goal is to promote productive, connected, and joyous aging and living. We are the perfect solution for active, independent older adults who dont need a caregiver yet. For older adults or families seeking licensed care, companion or home care is the right alternative.A Little Help Can Make a Big Difference Naborforce is on-call for the things that family or neighbors might help with if they were available. We all know that in this frantic, modern world, communities and neighborhoods have become more decentralized. Through our platform, Naborforce makes it simple to connect you or our loved ones to vetted folks right in your community. A short visit from a Nabor can make a world of difference. Our technology platform gives you quick and simple access to our corp of Nabors who are vetted and ready. Sign up and schedule visits online, or just give us a call. No cumbersome paperwork, no extensive consultations. And, if one hour is all you need, thats ok with us. Add family members to your profile and we will send them an update or photo from our visit. It could be sharing notes after a visit or maybe its a photo after a visit to the hair salon!Your Dallas - Fort Worth Naborforce team is ready to assist with of your help at home needs!A Helping Hand for Older Adults - Naborforce 844-696-2267 Were Naborforce. We match older adults who need a little help and kindness with Nabors eager to provide it, strengthening the communities we serve.Everyone can use a little help. Help around the house. Help running errands. Help preparing a meal. Help by just being a friend! Our goal is to promote joyous and independent aging and living while providing peace of mind to families. PLEASE NOTE: Naborforce DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY PERSONAL CARE. We do not assist with bathing, feeding, dressing or toileting. Additionally, we do not provide medication management, wound care, safe transfers, or any other regulated activities. Should you need that level of care, please contact a home care agency.