Does being a stubborn person have an impact on life expectancy?
Andy and Jewel Wagerston lived in Boise, Idaho in a 3-bedroom home for over 50 years. The children had gotten married and moved out across the US and were taking care of their own families. The couple was now well into their 80’s and were happy and content with their independence. One fall day while Andy was raking the leaves, he tripped over a tree root and landed on the cement pathway to his home. No one was there to pick him up until Jewel strolled out to retrieve the mail. She was shocked and tried picking him up but could not. Andy dragged himself inside while his wife called 911 to get medical help. After two hours the paramedics arrived and diagnosed him with a fractured elbow and slight internal bleeding. During that time Jewel called her son Robert in Canton, Ohio and told him what happened to dad. Robert told his mom that it was time for them to think into moving to an assisted living center in Ohio. But his parents stubbornly refused his invitation, and dismissed it as a non-option. After a week in the local medical clinic, Andy was discharged, and they returned to their home continuing an independent lifestyle.
The question for caregivers is, does being a stubborn senior prove to be beneficial or not?
We at the Senior Comfort Guide found that being stubborn does increase your chances of living a longer life. A study at the University of California in San Diego took a sample of older Italians and identified certain commonalities which include behaviors such as, self-confidence, resolve and the ability to face obstacles. This grouped managed to live a longer life because of their yearning not to give up and not to be overwhelmed by challenges. In fact, Italy’s Emma Morano, was the world’s oldest living person until this past April when she died at age 117.
A famous journalist by the name of Malcom Gladwell said it best. “Society tends to look for bright people to get things done quickly. A group of 30 doctors reviewed colonoscopies and only a handful were able to pickup the colon cancer in the patient. The difference was that the doctors whom correctly diagnosed the patient took twice as long when analyzing the colonoscopy. So, what we really want from professionals in society is a characteristic of being slow when studying critical things. This hypothesis is essentially one of the strongest advocates for a person’s stubbornness. The willingness not to give up and to invest more time and energy will ultimately lead to a problem being solved”.
Eleanor Roosevelt said it best “You must do the very thing you think you cannot do”
Here are some benefits for loved ones whom has a stroke of stubbornness
- Stubborn people know what they want and what they don’t want. This will make it easier for you to identify a need due to their decisiveness.
- Stubborn people persevere and have fewer tendencies to give in or give up on their dreams making it an asset when combating an illness.
- Seniors and aging parents are less equipped and capable of ‘speaking up’ when necessary, and are less likely to show their assertiveness at the times when they need it the most. Being confident will help them in the decision-making process and make their lives better
- When seniors lose their independence they may add that they will need to enhance their lifestyles with daily activities which can be available at an assisted living centers
Overall its appears that being stubborn does provide a health benefit when you enter the golden years of your life. However, with every good thing comes along something negative which is obvious. Taking care of stiff necked people is hard and at times could be very overwhelming. Caretakers will be challenged when trying to complete a task which is not in the best liking of the patient. If it gets to overwhelming, you might want to entertain the possibility of getting respite care for the elderly. Having the break will make you into a better and more happy care taker.
