What if Aging Parents Refuse to Plan? | 4 Reasons Aging Parents Refuse to Plan

What if aging parents refuse to plan? Learn 4 reasons why people don't plan until reality strikes and change is unavoidable so that you can choose differently and have greater control over your life, health, and happiness. The first reason is that aging parents and their caregivers may not know what they are planning for.

In this video, caregiving expert Pamela D Wilson shares stories of persons needing a plan who may not have known how to plan. She also shares suggestions for how to have conversations with elderly parents about planning.

Worry about aging parent problems can be a significant distraction for caregivers. Reasons for why do aging parents refuse help can increase the stress of caring for elderly parents at home.

The reasons people don't plan for health or caregiving events include:
A lack of experience with family caregiving or managing health problems and navigating the healthcare system
They have no children and no family members who might help or be involved. For this reason, solo agers need a solid plan for their care as they age.
Being independent and wanting control over life. While this can be a very positive aspect, it can also prevent one from being able to receive care when needed.
Older adults have memory loss that has progressed to a point where they can't manage their day-to-day lives and cannot realize the importance of making a plan.

Background information about why people refuse to plan
00:00
00:59 Why aging parents refuse help
02:25 People don't know what they are planning for
03:06 No experience with aging problems or health
04:06 Pamela's story as a caregiver
07:06 Aging parents, single adults, or solo agers lack information and experience
08:40 John's story married no children, no siblings to help
12:02 Parents live at a distance, so they make no plans because children are not nearby
12:58 Independent people who want to make their own decisions and don't want to be told what to do

Stories and examples of situations that benefit from a plan
15:30 Frequent visits to the emergency room can cause problems with individuals who refuse to plan or follow up with their care. Learn about mandatory reporting rules.
17:45 How to understand and gain empathy for previously independent people with work histories who want control of their lives
20:13 People with memory loss who cannot understand that they have memory problems, so they are unable to plan and eventually may need a family guardian
22:28 Lack of understanding by people with memory loss of their vulnerabilities and the role of power of attorney or a guardian
24:03 Client with memory loss wandering through a parking lot on a hot day, lost and unable to return home
25:14 Dad with memory loss drove 500 miles away from home and was lost
25:52 Parents refuse to plan because of a child living in the basement who cannot take care of him or herself

How to have discussions with aging parents about refusing to plan:
26:50 Reasons to make a plan based on the information you have today and trusting someone to care for you. How to have these discussions in families.
30:18 Undiagnosed memory loss can result in challenges with planning due to uncertainty

For more caregiving, aging, and elder care tips, visit Pamela's website at www.PamelaDWilson.com

Learn about Pamela D Wilson, her professional background, and her experience: https://pameladwilson.com/pamela-d-wi...

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Are you caring for aging parents or yourself?
Learn the details of caring for loved ones in Pamela's Online Caregiver Support Program, "Support Caring for Aging Parents." https://pameladwilson.com/support-car...

Are you trying to figure out the responsibilities of being an agent under legal power of attorney?
Pamela's online caregiver webinar program, Power of Attorney, offers the details and information caregivers and those appointing an agent must know. https://pameladwilson.com/power-of-at...

Are you wondering if you should be a guardian for a loved one?
Learn about the guardianship process in Pamela's online caregiver education program, How to Get Guardianship https://pameladwilson.com/how-to-get-...