[ronswon]

My dad has been really stubborn lately. He’s clearly struggling with memory and simple tasks, but every time we offer help, he gets defensive or just brushes it off. I don’t want to push him or make him feel like he’s losing control, but I’m also scared something serious will happen if he keeps living like this. How do you even start getting through to someone who doesn’t want to hear it?

[luna]

We went through this with my mom last year. She refused to let anyone into the house, even though she kept forgetting to turn the stove off and was skipping meals. What finally helped was getting her involved in small decisions, like choosing the caregiver or picking out meal plans together. I remember reading a few helpful tips on Parent with Dementia Refuses Help https://myallamericancare.com/academy/parent-with-dementia-refuses-help/ — it gave me a different way to approach things without it turning into a fight.

[tonny]

I’ve noticed that when people feel like they’re being talked down to, they just shut down, no matter what age or situation. Sometimes it’s not about convincing them right away but planting little seeds and slowly building trust. I’ve seen it take months before someone agrees to even small help, but eventually it happens — just takes consistency and patience from the family.

[Author]

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