Updated October 10, 2022 – When my mom passed away, my elderly father would not move out of the house they’d shared. At age 94 he was in very good health but was beginning to show signs of mild dementia which made it unsafe for him to live alone.
Through trial and error I found the following 12 strategies that helped me to help my elderly father accept moving to a better living situation.
When it comes to our elderly parents, we want what’s best for them. We want them to be happy and healthy, and to enjoy a good quality of life.
But sometimes, our parents can be resistant to change. They may not want to move to a smaller home, even if it would be easier for them to take care of.
It can drive you crazy!
How Can You Tell When An Elderly Person Can’t Live Alone?
It was easy for me to see that my father could not live alone. He was not able to use the microwave, he was forgetting to pay bills and he was trying to perform household tasks that were unsafe for him.
But, for many adult children, it’s not always easy to tell when their aging parent can’t live alone anymore. They may be able to take care of themselves physically, but perhaps their cognitive and/or mental health issues are making it more difficult for them to live alone safely.
Here are some signs that an elderly person may need assistance:
1. They’re having difficulty keeping up with daily tasks and personal care like basic self-care, like bathing, eating, and using the restroom.
2. They’re becoming increasingly forgetful and confused.
3. They’re experiencing changes in mood or personality, such as becoming more withdrawn or agitated.
4. They’re having trouble paying bills or managing their medications.
5. They’re no longer able to drive or get around safely on their own.
If you’re noticing any of these changes in the older adults in your family, it’s important to have a conversation about their living situation.
There are a few care options available for your aging parent. You can look into in-home care, assisted living, or even a nursing home. Each option has its own set of pros and cons, so it’s important to do your research and choose the one that will be best for your parent.
Of course, there are other housing options to look into also. They can look into a retirement home or communities, independent living facilities and many more.
You can read more about this topic here.
How Do You Deal With An Uncooperative Elderly Parent?
Let’s face it, it’s going to be a difficult process when you’re dealing with an uncooperative older parent.
They may not want to do what you want them to do, or they may be resistant to change.
What I’ve learned from working as an Occupational Therapist working with older people and their families (and from my own family and friends) is that you can’t really change your elderly parent.
The very best you can do is to try to understand their point of view and if possible, meet them half way.
Know that you most likely will not get your way, but be grateful for what you are able to compromise to with your senior loved one.
Here are some possible options on how to deal with an uncooperative elderly parent:
1. As I said, try to see things from their perspective
The best way to start is to try and understand where your parent is coming from. They may have different values or beliefs than you, and this can make it difficult for them to understand why you want them to do things differently.
When it comes to moving, we all know that it’s a very emotional issue. After all, everyone wants to stay in their own home.
2. Communicate with them
Another first step is to try to have an open and honest conversation with your parent about what you’re hoping to achieve and why. It’s important to listen to their concerns as well as express your own.
I know this will be a tough conversation, but it’s important to try to be understanding and respectful.
Of course, if your parent is suffering from some type of cognitive decline (dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.) it can be difficult to have a productive conversation.
3. Find a compromise
If you are dealing with a stubborn parent and just can’t see eye to eye, try to find a compromise that works for both of you. This may mean making some concessions, but it’s better than feeling like you’re at loggerheads all the time.
4. Seek professional help
A great way to deal with the situation is to seek professional help. A counselor or therapist, a social worker or geriatric care manager can provide impartial support and guidance on how to best handle the situation.
I would also recommend to speak to a financial advisor. They can help you to understand what can be done to make sure your parent is taken care of financially, even if they do not want to move.
5. Be patient
Dealing with an uncooperative parent can be frustrating, but it’s important to remember that they’re most likely not doing it deliberately to upset you.
They may just be set in their ways or resistant to change. Try to remain patient and understanding, and be prepared to take things at a slow pace.
6. Take care of yourself
It’s important to remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup. Make sure to take care of yourself, both physically and emotionally.
This means taking time out for yourself, eating well, getting enough sleep and exercise, and talking to someone about how you’re feeling.
Dealing with an uncooperative parent can be challenging, but by taking care of yourself and remaining patient, you can make the situation more manageable.
12 Strategies To Use If Your Elderly Parent Refuses To Move
- Listen to your parents and try to understand their resistance
- Don’t force things
- Treat your elderly parents like adults
- Moving should not be just about getting older
- Give your parents some control
- Give your parents time to process the idea of moving
- Research new homes with them
- Visit new communities with them
- Emphasize the consequences of not moving
- Explain how much this new move can help YOU
- Accept the fact they may not move
- Take care of yourself – no matter what your parents decide
These strategies can help you, as a family caregiver and your elderly parent to come to a resolution on the issue of moving.
Please know that your parents are adults and as such, do all they can to have autonomy over their own lives. Moving elderly parents against their will may be an uphill battle.
So, you can only do your best to convince them that moving out of their current living situation may be the best option for them – but ultimately, it is their decision.
Again, if your parents are suffering from some cognitive impairment, it may be difficult to have a rational conversation about the benefits of moving.
1. Listen To Your Parents And Try To Understand Their Resistance
Listening to the reasons your parents may be resisting the idea of moving can help you to understand what they are thinking and going through.
This can give you an insight into what is important to them and you can then have an honest conversation about what is important to you as well.
There are many issues that can affect why your parents may be reluctant to move, fear of change, anxiety over new surroundings, leaving friends, etc.
Many seniors get frightened at the prospect of leaving home, and resent being told what to do by their children.
Landmarkhealth.org
On the surface, when an elderly parent declines to move, it can seem like they are just being old and stubborn.
Some recent studies, however, show that a senior’s unwillingness to relocate often has less to do with being crotchety. It is more about how they think they are being viewed by others.
Here are some tips on what to do if your elderly parent aren’t listening to YOU.
2. Stay Calm And Don’t Force Things
You know that old saying, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink”? That adage applies to this situation.
Your parent is used to being independent and in control of their life. It’s often very difficult for seniors (and most anyone at any age) to face the harsh reality that they may be at a stage in their lives where they need help.
They may decide that in-home care would be a better option for them. Be open to that possibility.
As they say, timing is everything. Don’t bring up moving when your parents are already stressed or when you are feeling helpless or frustrated.
Stubborn though they may be, your elderly parents are adults who want to make their own choices. This means they have the right to make their own decisions about relocating even if you don’t agree with them.
3. Treat Them Like The Adults They Are
Often, it isn’t what you say, but how you say it. When you are talking to your elderly parents about moving, don’t be condescending.
For example, after my mom’s brain tumor diagnosis, my sister started treating Mom like a five year old. True, Mom now needed a wheelchair, but her mind was still sharp.
My sister’s manner of speech drove Dad up a wall. “She’s terminal, not in kindergarten,” he’d growl under his breath.
So, talk to your parents about moving in a way that honors them. In the long run, this attitude will help you with future decisions.
Ask questions about why they don’t want to move and you’ll begin to see things from their perspective.
Here is just a sampling of the kinds of questions you can be asking:
- Are you afraid to move?
- What would you be giving up if you move?
- Would you be more independent in the new place?
Be empathetic to their situation (how would YOU feel if you felt you were being forced to move?) and listen to their concerns. Give them time to mull everything over.
4. Don’t Make Them Feel Like They Have To Move Because They Are Old
Although Dad was 94 when Mom passed away, he looked and acted ten years younger. He hated being seen as “old” and prided himself on the fact that he had no health problems.
Additionally, he was strong and steady and didn’t use a cane or a walker. He still drove, worked in the yard, shopped for groceries, and cleaned the house.
I made a big mistake when I suggested that he needed to move because the house was going to be too much for him to take care of.
“Conflicts come up when someone does not think of themselves as old, but people in their family or caregiving group are treating them as such.”
OregonState.edu
The flip side of my suggestion was that Dad’s identity was threatened. He set out to prove he was more than capable of taking care of himself and the house – by engaging in risky behavior.
There was a steep hill behind their house. Even I had a hard time climbing it, much less my father.
The hill had gotten weedy, so Dad decided to clear the weeds. Each week, he made a point of showing me how much he’d cleared since my last visit. He completely ignored my protests and “what ifs.”
5. Allow Your Parent To Have a Sense Of Control
Be persistent about moving without being obnoxious. It’s not helpful if you continually argue with your parent about the subject. Sometimes arguments are a way for elderly parents to vent frustration about being thought old or incapable.
Instead, calmly voice your concerns, then offer a solution.
In my dad’s case, I was most worried about him eating enough and not eating spoiled food. He’d lost weight and couldn’t seem to grasp the concept of tossing out food after a certain time frame.
After repeated bouts of stomach troubles from eating expired food, he and I talked about ways to avoid more problems. I listed several ideas (Meals on Wheels, food delivery, etc.), all of which he turned down.
At that point, he grudgingly agreed that eating in a cafeteria-style setting in a senior community could be a way to stay healthy.
6. Give Your Senior Parents Time To Process The Need To Move
I made a big mistake in not talking to my dad about moving soon after my mother was diagnosed with her terminal illness.
I didn’t want to add to his distress (or mine, frankly) by discussing life after she was gone. But I really should have planted the seed.
If I had begun dropping hints, he’d have had more time to get used to the idea and he might have seen the merit in it earlier than he did.
As it was, once food became an issue that he couldn’t sidestep, he started thinking more positively about moving. At least he knew he’d be fed properly.
7. Research Some Places THEY Might Like
It certainly would not be uncommon for your elderly parent to refuse assisted living.
Growing older can be very frightening and facing the possibility of losing the life you’ve known for decades can be overwhelming.
Keep in mind that this isn’t about you. Don’t look for the resort-like facility that you’ve imagined for your future if it isn’t something that appeals to your parent.
For example, when Dad finally approved his move, we all agreed on an upscale independent senior community.
However, for a man who’d spent a lifetime earning a modest wage, the price of his little apartment made him very uncomfortable.
Although reassured that his money would outlast him, he just couldn’t get past the cost.
He was much happier when we moved him to a less ritzy, more cost-effective senior apartment the following year.
Because I listened to his concerns – he was much more accepting of his new home situation and that made his last years with me truly wonderful.
8. Take Your Elderly Parents To See The Places You’ve Found And Focus On Their Benefits
In my dad’s case, he’d already accepted that food was an issue he couldn’t resolve on his own. He had a difficult time making his own meals.
He had trouble mastering the microwave (my mother was always in charge of the kitchen) and he was succumbing to simply eating prepared meals and fast food.
Both of which I knew were not good for his health.
When we toured the assisted living facility that we ultimately chose, they comped us a meal in their dining room so we could sample their menu.
It was delicious – more like restaurant quality than the tasteless fare Dad had anticipated.
Also, they had piano entertainment before dinner. It focused on the Big Band and swing songs of Dad’s era.
He loved to sing and that evening, the music further broke down his resistance to moving. I truly enjoyed seeing him enjoy himself.
It’s important to take into consideration the amount of help they need and/or may need when deciding on moving to a facility such as an assisted living type of community.
None of us knows the future. Our parents have visions of the crowded, smelly nursing homes that existed decades ago, before regulations were put in place to protect residents and employees. The very idea of moving to a nursing home is unthinkable to them, but the truth is that these long-term care facilities have made leaps and bounds since most people last visited one.
Agingcare.com
9. Emphasize The Consequences If They Don’t Move
Sometimes even after you’ve laid the groundwork, your senior parents may still refuse to move. If all your carefully laid plans are still failing, it’s time to bring out the big guns.
In Dad’s case, he could see the benefits of a move begin to add up.
He lived alone and often saw no one all week until my next visit. That meant no social interaction for a man who had always been surrounded by friends.
In addition, his home backed up to that stupid hill I talked about earlier. If he fell in the backyard, no one would know for hours until we couldn’t get hold of him and went to check.
Living in a senior community meant friends and activities to keep him busy every day. It also gave us both peace of mind that he’d have near-instant help and access to medical care if he fell or became ill.
10. Explain How Much Their Move Will Help YOU
With time, a parent’s love for their child will often overcome their objections.
My dad lived 40 miles (one way) from me. I worked full time and pointed out how hard it would be for me to make daily 80 mile round trips to take care of him if he was sick or in the hospital.
I really was worried that he would fall and lay there for hours before I could get to him, so we talked about my fears many times.
Dad could barely boil water, so I’d also spent the year after Mom’s passing cooking, baking, and bringing him food that he could simply heat and eat.
He knew this was a burden for me and I played up that point.
I told him how much easier it would be for me if he moved into a senior independent apartment and could go to a dining room for his meals, not to mention the friends he would make.
Once your parent is ready to move, our moving tips and checklist will help.
11. Accept That You Might Not Convince Them To Move
Thankfully, my dad finally accepted that it was best for everyone if he moved.
For more stubborn parents, it might be helpful to enlist their doctor’s intervention to advise them to move.
We also have some tips that you may find helpful in our article, What To Do When Elderly Parent Refuses Help.
It might also work to have the moving conversation with trusted friends or family members. Your parent(s) may listen if someone else points out how beneficial a move would be.
Sometimes, however, a senior parent will refuse to relocate no matter how much they need to. In these cases, you may just have to accept their decision.
Meanwhile, do the best you can to help them as much as you can. You can always “sprinkle” hints into conversations or bring up the subject of moving again when another opportunity comes up.
12. If You Are Frustrated Or Feel Helpless – Be Sure To Take Care Of Yourself
Trust me, as much as you love them, elderly parents can be frustrating, especially when they dig in their heels and refuse to do something that is clearly in their best interests.
In cases like these, you can find help (and a safe space to vent) in a support group for caretakers of senior parents. Do an online search for forums or check for groups on Facebook.
It also helps to spend time with friends or indulge in your favorite hobby so you can get your head out of the situation with your parents.
Another way to help reduce stress is to begin a yoga or mediation practice. Bottom line: take care of yourself so you can be there for your parents (and can keep up with your own needs).
How To Convince Elderly Parents To Move
Convincing your elderly parents to move takes patience on your part. Here are some tips on how to get your elderly parents to move.
Listening to what their needs and fears are and then addressing them in their language can help. Focusing on future events while respecting the past can also help.
Helping them to feel that they are in control will go a long way in convincing them that moving is the best option for them.
By remaining factual (avoiding emotion as much as possible) you should be able to present a calm and collected presentation to your elderly parents about the practicality and pros of moving to their new location.
But be patient, it will take time to absorb this new concept (for most elderly parents it’s something they’ve been avoiding).
Can I Force My Elderly Parent Into A Nursing Home?
Legally, yes – forcing an elderly parent into a nursing home is possible. But putting a parent in a nursing home against their will requires a little work.
The way it’s done is to obtain guardianship (aka conservatorship) of that senior person.
Guardianship is a legal relationship created by the court. It gives an individual the right to care for a person who is unable to care for themselves. The guardian is responsible for the welfare and safety of the senior.
But be aware that this is not easy nor is it inexpensive. You will need the help of an elder law attorney and it may take some time to complete.
You may be wondering if a Power Of Attorney is sufficient to force an older adult into a nursing home.
The simple answer is it depends – a medical power of attorney must be written specifically to allow you to make that type of decision for your senior loved one.
Again, go over your documentation with an elder law attorney.
You can read more about guardianship and power of attorney in our article What Is Guardianship Of An Elderly Parent?
Can You Force An Elderly Person Into Assisted Living?
What can you do if your elderly parent refuses assisted living?
Again, guardianship of an elderly parent seems to be just about the only way that anyone can “force” their elderly loved one to move into an assisted living facility or nursing home. Not even social services can force them to move.
But as I said earlier, the process on how to get parents into assisted living is not easy, nor inexpensive.
A guardianship for an incapacitated senior will typically arise where someone determines that a senior has become unable to care for their own person and/or property. In some cases, there may be a belief that the senior is being financially exploited or about to be exploited. In other cases, the person may be unable to care for him or herself and is not able to properly engage in the activities of daily living without assistance. There will typically be a precipitating incident that causes a professional, family member, health care worker or clergyman to initiate guardianship proceedings.
Wikipedia.org
Moving a parent to assisted living environment can be difficult for some seniors, especially if they are resisting it.
But there are some things that you can do to make the process easier. Here are 9 tips for moving parents into an assisted living that may help you (and your senior loved one).
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a nursing home and assisted living?
How do I get my elderly parents into assisted living?
How can I help my elderly parent stay at home?
Did we answer your question about what to do if your elderly parent refuses to move?
In this article we gave you 12 strategies to help you if you are having problems getting your elderly parent to move to a smaller and/or safer living environment.
We listed some simple tactics that can be used on how to convince your parents to make a decision that would benefit them as well as the rest of the family.
We also went through some information about assisted living and whether or not a family member can force someone into an ALF.
We know this is a difficult topic for many families and we do hope that we have given you some tips on how to tackle it.
