There are some really lucky families who are made up of adult siblings who can sit down together and discuss on a plan on caring for their elderly parents. Their main aim is to ensure their parents receive the care that they need to maintain good health throughout their golden years. For other families, things may not turn out the way that they had pictured and it could result in a disaster. If you need some tips on dealing with sibling tensions, here is what we have put together for you and your siblings to better sort things out amicably.
Preparation and Cooperation
Ideally, before tensions start to arise, you have had prior discussions with your elderly parents to understand what they are looking for during their retirement. Hopefully, they have designated powers of attorney for both their finances and healthcare, drawn up a will, and finalized any other financial plans and legal documents. It is best if all siblings are aware of their preparations and agree with what they consist of. This is crucial because it should be a team effort when it comes to caring for aging parents. Siblings who are out of town may not be around as much to know what is truly taking place. There may also be some siblings who are not attentive enough to understand what their parents are in need of in terms of care and support. All these factors need to be addressed together to ensure that their aging parents will receive the care that they deserve during their retirement.
Family Meeting
Holding a family meeting can provide an opportunity for the primary caregiver to clarify the needs of the aging parents. The caregiver can learn about the present situation, brainstorm all the possible options, and participate in the ultimate decision-making process. The aim of a family meeting is to determine each person’s strengths and hone them to derive with a care plan that delegates responsibilities fairly. This is to ensure that the primary caregiver will not be the sole person taking care of the aging parents’ every need which can be overwhelming especially in the long run. Set up a schedule for every sibling to visit their aging parents and update one another on any health progress.
Getting Siblings on Board with Caring
Some families may still be a little less dynamic and the above tips may not prove to be a success. A civil family meeting may end up in even more tensions which may cause the needs of the aging parents to be completely ignored. This will further add on to the stress of the primary caregiver which can strain the ties between siblings. As a last resort, it is recommended to get a third party involved. Speak to a professional care consultant to help straighten things out. You can also seek advice from a senior living advisor to know the different options that are available for your aging parents. This can better address the needs of the aging parents and ensure that they are given access to the type of senior care they need.
