Can a person start expecting too much help?
Yes, definitely. This often happens as a result of family doing for an elder things they are capable of doing themselves. After a while, the elder then expects these things done for them. When caregivers do too much, they may rob an older person of dignity and self respect. It's better to let the care receiver do what they can for themselves, and gradually add a little support as it is needed, rather than assuming they can't do for themselves.
This happens after an illness or hospitalization, too, when the older person really cannot do for themselves. Family get in the habit of doing things for them, and continue to do them long after the elder could do these tasks without assistance.
definately YES. My dad broke his wrist and hurt his hip in a fall. He was very dependent on help for mobility and hygiene and eating. Now that he has started physical therapy and has a walker, he can get around but still wants meals delivered and dishes picked up as soon as he's finished eating. With a little planning - we've gotten better at having dinner on the table and inviting him to eat with us instead. It's also kind of ironic that the things with which he needs help are the things he tried to do by himself - like walking without the walker or taking a shower by himself - where the consequences of something going wrong are more costly.
