{"id":75434,"date":"2024-07-01T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=75434"},"modified":"2024-10-23T10:11:25","modified_gmt":"2024-10-23T09:11:25","slug":"resistance-to-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/resistance-to-care\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Deal with Resistance to Care"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>For healthcare professionals, especially those that work with elderly individuals or those with dementia, resistance to care is something that you may encounter on a daily basis. Understanding why someone might be resistant to care and how to deal with it are important skills to have for all types of healthcare workers so, in this article, we\u2019ll look at why resistance to care might happen, what it means and what you can do to help support a patient who is resistant to care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-resistance-to-care\">What is Resistance to Care?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Resistance to care is when somebody refuses healthcare assistance, whether that\u2019s by pulling away from their nurse, trying to leave the room, refusing to take medicine or becoming annoyed or aggressive when you try to help them. It is a common behaviour amongst people in later life or those with dementia or Alzheimer\u2019s, especially when it comes to personal care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Resistance to care is most common in healthcare settings but it can also happen at home. For example, a wife with early stages of dementia may be resistant to the extra help offered by her husband, or an elderly grandfather may act aggressively when his son suggests he hires a cleaner to help take care of the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a healthcare setting, resistance to care might take the form of refusing to take medicine, refusing to eat, pulling out equipment or tubes, wandering out of their ward or leaving the healthcare facility completely.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"295\" src=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/restistance-to-care.jpg\" alt=\"Patient being resistant to care from a professional \" class=\"wp-image-75541\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-might-someone-be-resistive-to-care\">Why Might Someone Be Resistive to Care?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Resistance to care usually happens because the person doesn\u2019t understand why they need help, is afraid of the new situation or feels uncomfortable, whether physically or psychologically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Resistance to care is particularly common with hands-on, personal care tasks, such as washing and bathing, toilering, administering medicines and feeding &#8211; especially if the person feels undignified because of the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Amongst people in later life, fear of <strong>losing their independence<\/strong> can be a key reason why they resist care. Everyone wants to be autonomous and no one wants to rely on someone to take care of them, especially if it involves personal care tasks. Accepting help from a healthcare professional can feel offensive to older people, as if they\u2019re \u2018giving in\u2019 to ageing, harmful to their pride or, more often than not, an interference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For those living with dementia, resistance to care is often due to a<strong> lack of understanding <\/strong>about what\u2019s happening to them. The person may be aware that they\u2019re struggling with simple tasks but unaware of how significantly it actually impacts their daily life. They may believe they can do more than they\u2019re able to in reality and get irritated when people try to help. This is sometimes referred to as \u2018lack of insight\u2019, because the person with dementia cannot recognise they need assistance with tasks and will therefore refuse to accept any help given to them.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"685\" height=\"295\" src=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/resistance-to-care2.jpg\" alt=\"Patient refusing to drink water given to them by a carer\" class=\"wp-image-75542\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-deal-with-resistance-to-care\">How to Deal with Resistance to Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When someone is resisting care, it can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. You want to act in the best interests of the patient and do all you can to help them, yet they\u2019re behaving combatively and it\u2019s hard to maintain positivity. With the right techniques, however, you can deal with resistance to care in a compassionate and constructive way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-gutenberg-hst-block-experttip tip__box\"><div class=\"tip__title__container\"><div class=\"tip__title__text\"><div class=\"tip__title__icon\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/plugins\/hub-custom-blocks-plugin\/expert-tip-icon.png\" alt=\"Expert Icon\"\/><\/div><h3>Looking for a Course?<\/h3><\/div><\/div><p>Communication skills are essential to help any patient that is resisting care. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/courses\/health-and-social-care\/communication-skills-in-health-social-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Communication Skills in Health and Social Care Course<\/a> will teach you about the different barriers to communication and how to overcome them, as well as how to respond to conflict appropriately and efficiently.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>To handle resistance to care, try the following tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Encourage the person to do as much as they can by themselves before you step in to help.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Involve the person in the conversation about their care &#8211; avoid making decisions on their behalf if they have the capacity to choose themselves. Always strive for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/what-is-person-centred-care\/\">person-centred care<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Put objects, activities, food and medicines within sight of the person, so they can do things themselves and see what\u2019s going to happen next.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be consistent as much as possible, so the person knows what to expect and your care becomes just another part of their daily routine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For a person refusing to eat, tailor food and drink to the individual where possible, offering them choices you know they prefer and will be more likely to accept, such as adjusting portion sizes, chopping or not chopping foods up, putting gravy in a jug rather than on the plate, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid arguing with the person if they\u2019re refusing to eat, drink or take medicine. Instead, politely ask that they eat\/drink\/medicate, leave the item near to them, then walk away.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Listen to complaints from the person and don\u2019t be dismissive, even if their grumble seems very minor to you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the person is resistant to washing or bathing, make the experience more appealing to them using aromas and bath products they like, improving cleanliness of the bathroom and using their favourite music.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For a person refusing medication, be patient, positive and polite. Explain why the medication is necessary, politely remind them to take it, then leave the medicine within sight of the person whilst you get on with something else. Never force a person to take medication or threaten them with consequences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Always maintain the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/human-dignity-respect-nursing-checklist\/\">dignity<\/a> of the person you\u2019re providing personal care for by staying out of their personal space as much as possible, giving them privacy where you can, keeping them covered and allowing them to do as much of the care as they can on their own.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Compliment and praise the person once they\u2019ve allowed you to assist them with something &#8211; positive words go a long way in gaining your trust.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For the person in later life or the person with dementia, refusing help can be a matter of pride. They may be in denial that they can no longer live independently and be resistant to care for a long time before they admit that extra help is needed. No matter their situation, it\u2019s essential that you <strong>always involve the person in the conversation and act in their best interests<\/strong>. Always be patient, compassionate and positive &#8211; even when this feels challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Resistance to care can be hard work, for both the person resisting and the person trying to offer care. What\u2019s important to recognise is that the person resisting care isn\u2019t trying to be difficult or combative &#8211; they are simply reacting to their lack of understanding, discomfort or confusion about the situation. As a healthcare professional, you can help by understanding why a person may be resistive to care, then supporting them with compassion and kindness to overcome their barriers.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-further-resources\">Further Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/courses\/health-and-social-care\/\">Health and Social Care Courses<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/respite-care-for-caregivers\/\">Carers\u2019 Breaks and Respite Care for Caregivers<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/what-is-delirium\/\">What is Delirium?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/communication-scenarios-in-healthcare\/\">What are Difficult Conversations in Health and Social Care?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/restrictive-practices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Restrictive Practices in Health and Social Care<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/independence-in-health-and-social-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Promoting Independence in Health and Social Care<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As a healthcare professional, you can help patients by increasing your understanding of why they may be resistive to care, and learning how you can support.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":75543,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[103,76],"class_list":["post-75434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safeguarding","tag-advanced-safeguarding","tag-safeguarding-adults"],"acf":{"schema_disabled":false,"schema_properties_FAQPage_question_answer":null,"schema_properties_HowTo_howto_tools":null,"schema_properties_HowTo_howto_supplies":null,"schema_properties_HowTo_howto_steps":null,"schema_properties_WebPage_cssSelector":null,"schema_sameAs_repeater":null,"schema_custom_json_repeater":null,"schema_custom_json_override":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v19.5 (Yoast SEO v19.12) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Resistance to Care | Tips for Health and Social 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