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Providing care for your elderly loved one can be complicated. There are days when it’s the most wonderful opportunity you’ve ever had to show your elderly loved one how much you love them and want to support them in their golden years. But to be honest, there are also often plenty of days when it’s emotional, combative, and feels like a war zone, especially if you have a strong-willed elderly loved one who doesn’t quite agree with the level of care you believe they need.
Learning how to navigate these tough conversations that often lead to highly emotional arguments will help you and your loved one manage communicating differing opinions in a safe and non-harmful way, preventing emotional damage that may affect the overall health of your relationship. Senior home care services can help.
Seven De-escalation Tips to Try with Your Senior
#1 Find a quiet place to sit together.
Conversations that take place while standing or pacing often make a person more worked up and don’t allow them to sit, breathe, and carefully think about what they’re going to say next. Pacing about often feeds into anxiety and makes it harder to focus.
#2 Once sitting, encourage taking some deep breaths together.
By stopping the conversation for a minute, and taking in a deep breath and then slowly exhaling it, you both are pressing the reset button and allowing your bodies to slow down and reduce blood pressure levels and racing hearts.
#3 Don’t make presumptions.
You might think you know exactly why your loved one is so upset, and you might be right, but don’t assume the reason. Instead, ask them to clarify why they are so upset, all while listening without dismissing their fears, anger, or resistance.
#4 Remind them how much you love them.
So long as it’s not used as a weapon or a way to manipulate their emotions, it can help to remind them that your love for them is always the largest part of any decisions you are making. You want them to be safe, happy, and healthy, even if that means making choices that are not easy.
#5 Be willing to compromise when possible.
There might be topics that you cannot compromise on, but when there is an option, consider offering a compromise to help your loved one slowly get used to the new idea or change that is coming.
#6 Give options.
Like compromising, options give your elderly loved one the ability to have some say in the discussion. Having your options determined before you even start the conversation can help make sure they are doable options for both you and your loved one.
#7 Take a break.
As a final tip, remember that it’s okay, and often healthy, to take needed breaks from caregiving. A senior home care provider can step in to assist with caregiving if your elderly loved one needs constant companionship or simply someone else to help around the home.
Senior home care providers can assist them with homemaking chores, personal care tasks, and just being someone to sit with and connect with. A little time spent with a senior home care provider may make your loved one more receptive to hearing your side of the conversation when you’re ready to sit down and try again.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Senior Home Care in Hicksville, NY, please contact the caring staff at Brookville Homecare today. 516-802-7722
