Why are older people so stubborn?!?!?

I’m thinking back on the last week with my MIL. 1) why was she so stubborn that she wouldn’t even go to the hospital when EVERYONE was telling her. We had to send an ambulance. She wouldn’t be so bad off if she has listened to everyone who was telling her FOR OVER A WEEK that she needed to go 2) she didn’t want to come home with me. Everyone told her to. The Drs even told her she can’t be alone. Packing her bag she got stuck in the closet because she couldn’t get up by herself. WHAT IF I WASNT THERE? 3) She can’t even walk the (literal) 5 feet from the couch to her bed without being so out of breathe she has to sit for a half hour. She slept 20 hours today. She literally would have died if we didn’t make her come home to live with us And also people keep telling me I’m such a good daughter. I don’t see this as being a good daughter. I love her. She’s my mom. I feel like anyone who loves their mom/dad would do exactly the same thing.

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I think the older our parents (or in laws) get the harder it is for them to acknowledge that they are in fact older and needing more assistance. Accepting help means accepting the reality that they are becoming more and more incapable to do everything they could. Even though its reaaaaally frustrating trying toget them to accept help we just need to try and be more patient with them. PS: you are a good daughter for caring enough to be there. Some actually wouldn't. x

I think it's a combination of not wanting to be a burden and holding onto the last bit of independence they have. It can be so frustrating to watch them make decisions you know aren't for the best. I went through this with my grandparents, now my parents, and I see it on the daily working for adult protective services. You are a good daughter. I see so many leaving their parents to suffer through self neglect at home. I always thought it was natural to care for family, but it definitely isn't for a lot of folks.

I think it’s because they’re losing control in most other areas of their life, so they hang on where they can

I see this daily at work. I source care home placements for older adults who are in hospital and can't go back home. They want to hold on to as much independence as they can. I can understand it though it is frustrating.

My nan is 90 and stubborn AF, drives my mum bonkers! She's now in respite care after a fall and hospital stay, and HOPEFULLY going into a care home permanently soon!

Dementia and other things can cause extreme irritability like this. They start acting not like themselves

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