It doesn’t matter whether they are in their 70s or 80s, as long as they live with you, they will be demanding.
It is common for people to feel the same way about their aging parents. As they become elderly, they may become demanding and this can leave many feeling distressed.
In this article, we will be helping you through this by giving you 10 handy tips for dealing with your demanding elderly parents.
How To Handle Demanding Elderly Parents
Be Patient
This is one of the most important things that you need to do when dealing with an elderly parent who is being demanding.
You have to understand that as they get older, they are going to start showing signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
They might also forget what you did in the past or even what happened a few days ago. Therefore, it is very difficult to deal with them if you don’t remain calm and patient.
Sometimes, they often don’t realize the strain they are putting on you, so try to stay cool, calm and collected
Make Sure That You Give Them Time
If you try to talk to them right away, then they won’t listen to you. Instead, make sure that you give them some time to think about what you said before talking to them again.
By doing this, they will remember what you told them and they will be more likely to listen to you.
Don’t Take Too Much From Them
When dealing with an elderly person, you should never take too much pressure or too many demands from them.
Instead, you should always ask them first if they want something. If they say yes, then you should just go ahead and give it to them.
However, if they say no, then you shouldn’t feel like you have to bend over backwards for them all of the time.
Avoid Arguments
Arguments between you and your elderly parents are not good because this could end up causing emotional harm to both of you.
This is why you should avoid arguing with them whenever possible. Instead, you should try to find ways to solve any problems together.
Try To Keep Them Happy
One of the best ways to keep your elderly parents happy is to make sure that you are always smiling with them.
This will help them feel better about themselves and it will also make them feel happier. Try to make time to do something fun together.
Keep Them Safe
Another thing that you should do is to keep your elderly parents safe at all times.
This means that you should make sure that they are able to walk/move around safely on their own.
Also, you should make sure that there are no sharp objects or hazards around them.
Take Care Of Yourself
Another tip that we would like to share with you is to make sure that your physical health is taken care of.
This means that you need to eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables and get a good night’s rest.
It also means that you should exercise regularly so that you can stay fit and strong.
Understand Their Needs
There is nothing wrong with understanding your elderly parents’ needs. After all, you should know how they feel and what they want.
If you are unable to meet these needs, then you should let them know this.
Listen Carefully
Listening to your elderly parents is another great way for you to show them that you care. In fact, listening to them is one of the easiest ways to make them feel loved.
Show Them Love
Lastly, we would like to tell you that you should show your elderly parents love by making sure that you spend quality time with them.
Remember that they are still your family members and you should treat them accordingly.
Why Are My Elderly Parents Demanding?
If you are wondering why your elderly parents are becoming more demanding, then you should know that this is normal behavior.
As they grow older, they become less independent. This means that they have to rely on others more often than usual.
This is why they might start acting in a different manner. They may even start treating you differently. This is especially true when it comes to taking care of themselves.
In addition to this, they may also start having financial issues. This is why they might be trying to get things done for themselves.
However, despite all of this, you should understand that they are still your parents. You should respect their wishes and decisions.
Instead, if you really want to help them, then you should try to figure out what they want instead. Then, you should try to give them whatever they ask for.
Remember that you should never force anyone to do something against his or her will. This includes your elderly parents.
Is Demanding Parents A Sign Of Dementia?
Some people believe that being demanding is a sign of dementia. However, this is not true. Instead, it is just an indication of aging.
As your elderly parents age, they will naturally become more demanding. But, this does not mean that they are suffering from dementia.
As mentioned earlier, some people who suffer from dementia lose their ability to think clearly. This means that they cannot think rationally anymore.
When dealing with someone who suffers from dementia, you should always remember that he or she is no longer able to think logically.
This is why you should never force them to do anything. Instead, you should try to find out what they want first. Then, you should give them what they want.
Final Thoughts
Your elderly parents are still your parents. Therefore, you should take good care of them. After all, they are the ones who raised you.
So, you owe it to them to take care of them. Whilst they may be demanding, this does not mean your relationship and bond has to suffer.
By understanding them and knowing how to deal with these constant demands, you will see your relationship being better than it ever was.
Hi, my name is Eddie Lamb and I am passionate about teaching people how to care for the elderly at home. The debate on nursing homes is a fierce one, and in my experience, I have found that older people would prefer to remain in their own homes.
I have previously worked in a nursing home as a trained carer for 15 years. As you can imagine, I was able to talk to countless residents within the home and get to know them on a personal level.
I hope that you’ll find something of use on my website. I would love to think that I have helped just one older person remain at home, where they feel the happiest, during their final years.
