Aging Veterans have the same fears and concerns as anyone else, but your loved one who proudly served our country might not be open to relying on others to perform daily tasks they’re used to taking care of by themselves.
There is a silver lining, though—understanding why your loved one is refusing Veteran home care services can help you navigate the conversation gently and encourage them to seek help.
Reasons Why a Loved One Might Refuse Veteran Home Care Services
No Veteran is created equal, meaning each person who has served our country has their own past trauma and hardships they deal with daily, so it’s important to understand that one person’s reason for refusing Veteran home care services may be different than others.
Here are some of the most common reasons people who’ve served our country refuse Veteran home care services:
A Sense of Pride
Most Veterans have a significant sense of pride in having served their country. According to Pew Research, roughly two-thirds of all Veterans (68%) say that within the first few years after leaving the military, they frequently felt proud of their military service.
Many Veterans carry a prideful demeanor throughout their lives, remembering themselves as brave men and women who took on the responsibility of keeping our country safe. Successfully protecting a country is a proud accomplishment for Veterans, and many are too proud to ask for help in return when they need it.
A Sense of Independence
With a sense of pride comes a sense of independence, and many Veterans are fiercely independent individuals. They enjoy taking care of themselves and their families. Many men and women who’ve served our country are often doting parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles who prefer to take care of themselves and everyone around them, so when the tables turn, it’s difficult for an independent Veteran to ask someone else to take care of them.
Unaware of the Benefits
In some cases, men and women who’ve served don’t take advantage of Veteran home care services simply because they’re unaware of the benefits. If you’ve never approached the conversation of home care services with your loved one, keep in mind that they might be open to daily assistance at home but aren’t aware that it’s an option for them.
Tips for Discussing Veteran Home Care Services With Your Loved One
Whether you know why your loved one is refusing Veteran home care services or you’ve never discussed the options with them, you should approach the conversation gently.
Here are a few tips for discussing home care services with your loved one to help them understand your concerns:
Understand Their Perspective
Your loved one might have specific concerns related to at-home support. They may have heard common misconceptions about abuse and theft, making them worried that utilizing Veteran home care services could put them in a vulnerable situation. They also might not be ready to accept their daily limitations, or they’ve become accustomed to you helping them at home. No matter their concerns, refrain from arguing and do your best to understand their perspective on the situation.
Be Honest
Be honest from the beginning of the discussion. You can ensure you’re honest by relaying your concerns to your loved one from the start of the conversation. Mention situations you’ve observed related to their safety and how a Veteran caretaker can help keep them safe and improve their quality of life at home.
Offer Financial Solutions
Hopefully, by this point of the discussion, your loved one understands the value of at-home support services, but they may think it’s not affordable. Be prepared to combat this concern with financial solutions, by letting them know that if they meet certain criteria, they could be eligible for pension and VA Aid and Attendance benefits that could cover at-home care costs.
Listen With an Open Mind
To understand your loved one’s perspective, listen intently and with an open mind. If their concerns are valid, you may be able to address them by discussing Veteran home care services specifics.
Providing Your Loved One With Veteran Home Care Services You Can Trust
Our country counted on your loved one when they served; it’s time they count on someone else to help them. At AVCC, we help Veterans connect with home care agencies that assist them with the activities of daily living. We know how important it is for your loved one to stay in their home, so we make it a priority to help you and your family locate the right personal care aide to meet your needs personally and financially.
Our home care services include:
- Companionship
- Meal preparation/feeding
- Laundry
- Light housekeeping
- Grocery shopping/errands
- Transportation
- Medication reminders
- Bathing/hygiene/grooming
- Mobility assistance—including transferring assistance and fall prevention
- Toileting and incontinence care
Reach out to our team today and find the support you and your family need.
