5 Tips on How to Deal with Denial in Aging Seniors

 

In this article, we will discuss how to deal with denial in aging seniors. Anyone involved with caring for senior citizens knows that the task can be daunting. It can become more complicated when seniors are in denial of their actions or what they are being told.

There comes a point in all of our lives that we realize we are getting older and our bodies are slowing down. This can be tough to accept, and many seniors don't want to accept that eventually, they re going to need the assistance of others in their daily lives. There's nothing wrong with denial, but it shouldn't become a permanent issue.  

When it does, family members and friends need to find a way to help them accept reality.

Aging can change who we are and how we feel. Denial is common, because we have always faced many adversities in our lives, but have always been resilient and fought back. When we experience these life altering changes, we do not want to accept them at first. It only takes a debilitating illness or a life-threatening fall to completely change our lives.

As a caregiver, you need to understand that it is part of your responsibility on how to help them deal with denial. It's not only going to be depressing for them, but it can also put a strain on your life, too. It might require that you get them to gradually accept their situation, and this could require that you compromise and agree with them occasionally.

5 Tips on How to Deal with Denial in Seniors

• Health Issues - Are they currently experiencing any other major health problems that they are worried about? It's possible that some seniors can have their minds on too many other health issues to be worried about denial. The best way on how to deal with denial for these situations is to have them see their doctor to make sure there are not other underlying health issues.

• Possible Dementia - They could be experiencing early symptoms of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or other another degenerative mental illness. Discuss these episodes of denial with their physician, so they might be able to better monitor and diagnose them on their future visits.

• They Might Be Stubborn - They might be in total control of their mental surroundings. However, they might have the type of personality that they just want to be right about everything. Then again, double check to make sure that you are right and that it is just not a misconception on your part.

• Try Not to Be Bossy - One of the last things you want to do is try to be as bossy as a senior. Remember, there are many reasons why they could be acting the way they are, and until you get to the bottom of that reasoning, it's best to stay level headed. After all, your loved one is probably being told what to do most of the day if they cannot fully take care of themselves. If they are in a nursing home or assisted living facility, there are more rules and regulations that they need to follow, and it might be too much for them to handle.

• Agreeing on Their Timetable - Your loved one might need a little more time to come around to the idea that they are in denial. They might realize something is wrong, but it could be a problem of them losing more control over their life. It might be better for you to give them time to admit to it.

How to Deal with Denial in Seniors - Conclusion

There is no simple answer on how to deal with denial in seniors. A lot depends on how each senior feels, and how good their caretaker is at convincing them. Make sure that your loved one is seeing a doctor regularly to make sure they are in good mental and physical health, too.