How to Reduce Conflict Between Adult Siblings When Caring for an Aging Parent

Caring for an aging adult is challenging enough for one person, but it can be even more difficult when there are multiple decision-makers involved. On one hand, multiple siblings caring for a dependent parent can provide a level of camaraderie and practical support that can relieve pressure on individual caregivers.

However, the group dynamic can become strained when you must collectively make important decisions about your parent’s life, such as those that pertain to:

• Schedule
• Social outings
• Transportation
• Living situation
• Medical treatments
• Housekeeping and chores
• Long-term care arrangements
• How and when to use your parent’s finances

Best Practices for Diffusing Tension When it Arises

When it comes to caring for older parents, conflict between siblings is often deeper than the practical disagreement at hand. It will benefit you greatly to practice compassion and empathetic listening when working out disagreements regarding where your parent should live, who should take on what responsibilities, and so on. Also consider how you and your siblings may be inadvertently reverting to your childhood roles or how past family-related hurts may be influencing a sibling’s behavior in the present.

No matter how contentious things may get between you and your siblings, remember that you are all likely sharing the same hurt while watching your aging parent grow old.

Tips for Preventing Conflict Among Siblings

One of the best ways to avoid sibling conflict is to carefully evaluate caregiving roles, as well as being willing to reevaluate them as necessary. In many cases, daughters feel the burden of providing hands-on, in-home care for aging parents, even if they do not have the time or financial resources to do so. Sons, on the other hand, often take care of parents’ property and finances. However, you may be able to avoid butting heads with your siblings if you are each able to make a valuable contribution to your parent’s well-being based on your current capabilities.

Respite Care & In-Home Support for Aging Adults in Texas

Sometimes, having an extra set of hands on deck makes all the difference.

Many siblings disagree as to who should be driving their parent to appointments, who needs to help them prepare meals, and who should perform which tasks. However, it can be challenging to meet all of an aging adult’s needs, even when there are multiple people involved. A private nurse or in-home caregiver can be a suitable stand-in when it comes to running errands, providing transportation to important appointments, and assisting with bathing, dressing, and other important tasks.

At Home Healthcare is proud to serve families facing challenges of all kinds, and we are pleased to fill in important gaps in elder care for siblings and families throughout Texas. We provide everything from day-to-day practical support to private nursing and specialized in-home care. Connect with a member of our team as soon as possible in order to learn how we can help you and your siblings ensure your parent receives the care, attention, and support they need.

Call (877) 959-9093 today or request care online to get started.