One of the greatest challenges we face as family caregivers comes not from the health care system, lack of financial resources or even the illness our loved ones are dealing with, but from our loved ones themselves. There I said it. Sometimes those loved ones we are endeavoring to help, can be obstinate as heck. Yet, sometimes what we see as obstinacy or just plain orneriness is nothing more than manifested fear.  They know as well as we do that their lives are changing and the independence they cherished for so many decades is being taken from them more by nature than by you, but since railing against nature seems a futile gesture – pushing back at you will do just fine.

Although I do appreciate the reasons that our loved ones will fight all efforts to make sure their homes are suited for their present physical condition or when they are sure they do not need any in-home assistance even though they desperately do need such support, I am not beyond suggesting trickery, subterfuge and just plain gimmickry to help keep them safe from harm.  

Some of the gambits I have heard include:

• Making sure you let mom know that your insistence that she keep her doctor’s appointment is that it will make you feel better, not because you are worried about her.

• Telling dad that the in-home assistance you seek is not because he is incapable of caring for himself, but that you are concerned about your mom, his well-spouse

• Taking away the distributor cap in the car

• Giving your loved one non-working car keys just so he or she has a set in their pocket

• Getting rid of the car and saying that you will be glad to give them a ride until it is repaired

I know that we all have one sure-fire motivation tool (see, I did not say non-truth) that we resort to when caring for our loved ones.  Tell  us yours….

My sure-fire gimmick