Last Resort?

I do not see that "to treat or use someone as a last resort" means to treat them with little respect and manipulate them. It means to view them as someone to be availed of only when all other options have failed.

Which in turn is treating them with little respect because they were only a safe last option for you.
I'm not saying this is what it always means but in the wider sense of the term it can be understood to mean that too.

AnonymousI'm not saying this is what it always means but in the wider sense of the term it can be understood to mean that too.

I don't get any sense that it implies manipulation of someone. I agree that it could imply that you don't respect them.

Okay so now that we're clear on the meaning, could you suggest some alternate term or expression?

"if all else fails" is similar to "as a last resort", but it would not substitute directly into your sentence.

"final recourse" is a kind of word-by-word alternative.

By the way, you probably already know this, but just in case not, "last resort" is a common set phrase. There is no obvious need to replace it with something else.

He is my last recourse. I go to him if all else fails.

I'd just like to back to the lack of respect. My offspring regard me as a last resort if they want to borrow money. This is far from lack of respect. They feel that they have had had a lot from me in the past, and don't want to make use of me now that they are adults. However, they know they can come to me if other resources don't work out.

fivejedjonMy offspring regard me as a last resort if they want to borrow money.

What a familiar feeling... I hope they don't break the bank of last resort!