Nah, they have been taught their whole lives that if you are in need, you are just lazy, everyone is fundamentally capable of taking care of themselves and there’s zero excuse for not being able to just do it yourself. Based on her voice, I’d say at least in her late 60s, that’s a long time to hold a world view.

So in all circumstances, they must show their own strength by asserting/repeating that world view. Even as they themselves should have learned better, either they are in denial about their status and needs or they feel a deep shame and see such a ludicrous stance as somehow saving face.

It’s sadly quite consistent with being a human person.