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Redirecting Resistance in Older Adults By Joseph M. Casciani, PhD Published in Aging Well Magazine, Fall, 2008 This article is about the older adult client who is non-compliant with health care prescriptions, and offers a perspective on involving this person in his own care. There is an art and a science to understanding resistance in older adults and which approaches will be helpful in changing behavior. The “art” requires that we take into account the person’s perceptions and interpretations of what he or she is facing, the motivation to comply, and what age-related barriers get in the way. The “science” involves the stages that we all go through to take on new behaviors – stages that are predictable and require unique, individualized, person-centered approaches. In this article, the multi-dimensional causes of resistance are addressed, such as fear of change, personality, limited cognitive functioning, misinterpretation of the plan, and a lack of mastery over one’s environment. Following this, recommended approaches are discussed (e.g., addressing the client’s decision making and autonomy, pointing out discrepancies, valuing self-directed behavior over externally-directed behavior, and a focus on solutions), within the context of the article’s central theme, that a client’s self-management increases with greater participation, collaboration and shared decision making. Download Full Article: |
