11/13/2025
It’s one of the hardest parts of caregiving — watching a parent or spouse clearly need more support, yet hearing them say, “I’m fine.”
🍊Resistance to care often isn’t about stubbornness. It’s about fear, loss of control, or pride. Accepting help can feel like losing independence or admitting vulnerability. Here’s how to approach it with empathy and patience:
💬 1. Start with understanding, not convincing.
Ask open-ended questions: “What worries you most about getting help?” Often, people just want to feel heard and respected.
🤝 2. Involve them in decisions about care.
Even if your caregiver has a set role, you can include your loved one in when, where, and how care happens. Let them help schedule visits, pick the caregiver’s routine, or decide which tasks feel most comfortable. Choice fosters control.
🩺 3. Reframe “care” as support, not dependence.
Sometimes saying “home support” or “a helper” instead of “caregiver” makes a difference. The goal is to preserve dignity while meeting needs.
❤️ 4. Emphasize flexibility.
Reassure them that nothing is permanent — plans can always be adjusted if they don’t feel right. Even a short trial can be a stepping stone, and boundaries can change as comfort grows.
🕊️ 5. Be patient.
Change rarely happens overnight. What matters most is maintaining a loving connection and continuing the conversation.
Caring for someone who resists care can be emotionally exhausting — but you don’t have to do it alone. We’re here to help. 407-347-2050
