As the family caregiver, you’re worried about your mom’s well-being. Your concern has you pushing her to eat the right foods, take her medications, and get enough exercise. She takes your behavior as being bossy. 
 
You don’t mean it to be bossy. How can you get your mom to let you help without coming off as too pushy? 
 
Present Things as Choices 
 
When possible, give her options and let her choose her actions. If she thinks she’s made a choice, she’s less likely to fight back. 
 
For example, you need your mom to take a shower. Instead of pushing her to shower, ask her if she’d like to have a bath or shower today. Ask her what fragrances of soaps or bubble baths are preferred. If that fails, you may need to bribe her with a reward for showering. If she does, you’ll take her to her favorite scoop shop. 
 
Take a Moment When You Feel Frustrated 
 
You will feel frustrated from time to time. On a particularly challenging day, it’s normal to feel the stress building. Instead of lashing out, which your mom may take as bossiness, walk away. Go outside and take a few deep breaths. You could also move to the next task on your list that doesn’t involve your mom. 
 
If you’re trying to get your mom to eat breakfast and she’s refusing to do so, go and start the laundry instead. While you’re in another room, she may start eating. If she does, that’s all you needed. If you return and she still isn’t eating, try putting something else out that may tempt her. 
 
For example, your mom has to take her medications with breakfast. She’s not eating the scrambled eggs you made. Cut up a cantaloupe into cubes and set them out. She might decide that those are worth snacking on, making it possible for her to take her pills. 
 
Is It Time for Home Care Services? 
 
Try to look at things from her point of view. Are you pushing her? Even if you’re doing it with the best of intentions, she’ll object to being told what to do. Maybe you simply have personalities that don’t work well when it comes to parenting your parent. It happens. 
 
Rather than be the bad guy, hire professional caregivers to help her with some of her daily tasks. She’s less likely to argue with a paid professional. 
 
Make sure your family discusses the benefits of home care with your mom. She’ll have caregivers available to help her remain independent while she stays in her own home. Call a local agency and learn more about prices and services. 

If you or an aging loved-one is considering a Caregiver in Riverview, FL please contact the caring staff at Healthy Services Of Tampa, Inc today. 813-932-9922