Topic: refusing care
Lack of insight is one reason an older adult may be resistant to accepting help and support. They simply don’t see the need. They are not aware of the changes that others are seeing nor how they could benefit from assistance.
With anosognosia, or lack of insight, the frontal lobe of the brain is impaired. The frontal lobe is responsible for higher cognitive functions such as memory, reasoning, social understanding, executive functioning, impulse control, problem solving, social interaction, and motor function.
The person experiencing lack of insight is unaware of their condition.
It’s not unusual for family members to misinterpret their loved one’s lack of insight or awareness as denial. Denial is a coping mechanism, a psychological response to something that is uncomfortable or difficult to accept. It is not anosognosia though on the surface they may resemble one another in how someone reacts to certain situations.
In these situations, Aging Wisdom helps families understand these changes and work with them. We guide you in how to shift your perspective, expectations, and approach as you provide the person in your care with the support they need.
Challenged by a parent’s lack of awareness and not sure how to move forward? We can help. If you live in the greater Seattle or Bellevue area, schedule a free get-acquainted call with us at Aging Wisdom to explore how we can be a support.
READ MORE HERE: My Mom Refuses to Accept Help! Lack of Insight May Be the Reason
Concerns about an older parent’s well-being are normal. Striking the right balance between supporting independence and ensuring safety can be a struggle for adult children. One of the most common reasons adult children reach out to us is when a parent, who obviously needs help, refuses it.
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Rob came to Aging Wisdom in a panic. For months he and his sister had done everything they could think of to convince their mother — 82 years old, recently widowed, and showing signs of memory loss — to move to an assisted living community.
Rob’s Aunt Mary, his mother’s sister, had moved to a community nearby and was thrilled with her decision. This was what Rob and his sister Linda saw as the answer for their mother as well. …
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