Caregivers in Summerlin NV
As a family caregiver, there may be a lot of different situation in which you might have to tell your elderly loved one “no.” Sometimes those situations might occur all in the same day. Even when no is the right answer, you might not feel great saying it.
Repetition and Caregiving
Caregiving often includes a great deal of repetition. There are the daily schedules, which often aren’t that different from one day to the next, and then there could be health reasons that contribute. If your elderly loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, for example, repetition can be a big part of every day.
No Can Be the Right Answer
So many situations could be dangerous or just not the right one for your elderly loved one. Depending on her health and other stipulations, no may be exactly the right answer. That doesn’t mean that it’s the answer that feels good, though. Your loved one may want to visit a relative that is no longer living, for example, or she may want to do something that simply isn’t possible. And if she forgets that she asked about the situation a few minutes before, she may not realize that you’ve already had the conversation.
Switch up the Wording
There are plenty of ways to let your loved one know that something can’t happen without having to use the word “no,” but it can be tiring to keep coming up with them on the spur of the moment. Try using phrases that aren’t necessarily negative but that put the question off until another time. Answers such as “Isn’t that a great idea!” or “That might be fun some other time.” let your loved one know that now isn’t a good time without being overtly negative. Try writing out some responses that you can use in future situations.
Avoid Beating Yourself Up
It’s really difficult to say “no” often without feeling bad about it. Keep in mind that you’re making decisions for your elderly loved one’s own good and that sometimes you have to be the one to say no. If you’re feeling excessive guilt about having to tell your loved one no, you might want to explore that in a journal or with a counselor that you trust.
With practice, you’ll get better at saying “no” without always having to use the word.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING IN-HOME CAREGIVERS IN SUMMERLIN, NV, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE. CALL TODAY 702-800-4616.