How to Talk to Siblings About Sharing Care Responsibilities
When an aging parent begins to need additional care and support, it often falls to adult children to step in and help. However, coordinating care responsibilities among siblings can be hard, both logistically and emotionally.
By discussing the topic of care duties thoughtfully and openly, your family can come together and help your loved one get the care they deserve.
Start Early and Be Proactive
The best time to discuss caregiving responsibilities is before a crisis occurs. When you notice your parent beginning to need more assistance, begin having conversations with your siblings about future care needs.
This gives you and your siblings more time to make a decision and reduces the stress caused by a time crunch.
Consider Each Sibling's Situation
Not every family member will be able to provide the same type and amount of care. Some siblings may live closer to the parent, while others have demanding jobs or young children.
Some of you may have financial resources to contribute, while others have more available hours to look after your loved one. Acknowledge these differences and coordinate with your siblings to ensure your loved one gets the care they require.
Take Inventory of Care Needs
Before dividing responsibilities, write down all the things your loved one needs to be emotionally and physically healthy.
Examples of care necessities include medication management, transportation to medical appointments, meal preparation, housekeeping, financial management, and social activities.
It is far easier to create a useful senior care plan when you have all of your senior loved one’s needs laid out in front of you.
Create a Fair Division of Labor
You and your family should designate care duties based on each sibling's abilities, availability, and strengths.
Someone who has experience with personal finances and taxes should handle finances, while a sibling who lives nearby could manage doctor's appointments.
Remember that contributions don't always have to be equal to be fair – they just need to be equitable based on each person's circumstances.
Speak Clearly and Earnestly
Hold regular check-in gatherings with your family (either in person or virtual) to keep everyone up-to-date. Using shared calendars, care-coordination apps, or group chats can ensure your family stays on the same page with appointments, medication changes, and daily care tasks.
Recognize Signs of Caregiver Burnout
Watch for signs of stress and burnout in family caregivers. If one sibling is shouldering too much responsibility, be willing to adjust the care plan. Supporting each other helps maintain your ability to care for your senior loved one in the long run. If for some reason you can’t support each other as a family members, we provide a Respite Care service that can give you a much needed break.
Be Willing to Compromise
You and your siblings may not all agree on a care plan for your loved one initially. Avoid arguments, and instead focus on finding places of agreement.
Compromise on certain aspects of the care plan, and remember that your senior loved one’s well-being should be the most important thing during these discussions.
Consider Professional Support
If you and your family need help caring for your senior loved one, consider hiring a professional. At Visiting Angels of Riverside County, we understand the challenges families face in coordinating care for aging loved ones.
Our experienced caregivers can supplement family caregiving efforts, providing reliable, compassionate care that gives everyone peace of mind.
Take the Next Step
Don't wait until caregiver burnout affects your family relationships. Contact Visiting Angels today to schedule a free, no-obligation in-home care evaluation. Our care coordinators will work with your family to create a customized care plan for your senior loved one.
Call us at 951-727-4357 or fill out our online contact form to learn how we can help your family navigate the caregiving journey together.