Accepting help is essential to ageing well

Learning to accept help is essential to ageing well. Many of us at any age find it difficult to accept help. We see it as an insult and admitting weakness, so we reject offers for help at all costs. Even if we know that it’s good for us.

As people age, this feeling can get worse and they feel that accepting help and support is like admitting they are incapable. However, think back to your younger years. Did you ever help an older person carry something, help them fill in a form or teach them something on their phone? Did you think of them as useless, or did you see it for what it was: that they just needed some practical help?

So this feeling is actually about you, about how you see yourself rather than how others see you. It might be scary to confront, but what is the alternative of having no help and declining further.

Things change as we age. The things we once did with ease can suddenly get harder. But, there are other things we can improve as we age. Friendships can improve as we have more time to spend with friends. Our knowledge improves and we can share valuable lessons and information. We might also get better at other things, from cooking to crossword puzzles.

It is almost inevitable that as we age, we will need more help, so we may as well get better at asking for help and work on getting better at receiving it.

Be There Action: Don’t forget that helping people makes us feel good – so allowing someone to help you is also helping them! So, don’t let those practical things you need help with stop you. Support is all around if you ask for it, now is the time to let other people be there for you as you have been there for them.

If you would like to find out more about Radfield Home Care and the home care and companionship support services offered, you can visit www.radfieldhomecare.co.uk or email us at [email protected] or call us on 01708 609 364.