By: Lauren Steinman Watral, www.RGCMGMT.com
Ever notice how an older adult sometimes refuses to respond to your questions and suggestions, instead giving you a knee-jerk “No!” Partly, this is a control issue. At a time in life marked by losses (of independence, strength, help, peers, social status), refusal to give in can be the only measure of control a person may feel he or she has.
Especially when pressed to go along with something, your loved one may feel needlessly cornered. What works better: Back off. Raise the issue and then, before giving your own opinion, ask your loved one to think about it. Don’t insist or badger. Present options. Ask, “What do you think?” Let it rest and come back to it later