Greetings and welcome to the first instalment of our new CARE blog.

Our research and day to day experience shows there are many people worried about their ageing parents and that they are often trying to care for someone who’d rather not have any help at all. We know this resistance can be a real problem for family caregivers – they can be worried about the safety of a senior loved one forgetting food on the stove or neglecting to take their medications. Sometimes seniors only want help from a son or daughter, which can put undue pressure on that family caregiver who feels he or she can’t call for professional help.  Most caregivers can go into “crisis mode” to rally around a loved one in the short-term, but you can't be totally immersed in a crisis mode long-term without your own family, work and health suffering.

So we are spreading the message that keeping fiercely independent seniors safe at home isn’t a lost cause with the release of a new free resource booklet When Seniors Say No! – overcoming resistance to assistance. The booklet features practical tips and insights such as:

• Warning bells – tell-tale signs of a senior in trouble
• Understanding why seniors resist offers of help
• Strategies to help counter resistance to care

The booklet and other caregiver resources are available for download under the Senior Care Resources section of the website.

Let us know what you think!

Martin