Nurturing Love: How Siblings Can Best Support Aging Parents

Caring for aging parents is a meaningful and loving responsibility, but it can become complex when siblings are involved. Fairly dividing caregiving tasks and maintaining clear communication is key to providing the support your parents deserve. Here are 12 strategies to help siblings share caregiving responsibilities effectively.

Prioritize Your Parents’ Needs

Keep your parents’ preferences and needs at the center of every decision. Involve them in the conversation whenever possible and respect their autonomy as much as you can. Ultimately, the goal is to provide the best possible care and support for your parents, and their input is essential in achieving that.

Initiate Early Conversations

Don’t wait for a crisis to start talking about caregiving. Begin conversations with your siblings while your parents are still healthy, discussing their future care preferences and each sibling’s ability to contribute. This helps avoid misunderstandings down the road.

Schedule Regular Family Meetings

Set up regular check-ins, either in person or virtually, to discuss your parents’ changing needs and make collective decisions. These meetings provide an opportunity for siblings to voice concerns, offer suggestions, and stay informed.

Utilize Technology

Use shared calendars and messaging apps to stay connected, especially if you live in different areas. Caregiving apps can help track appointments and keep everyone informed, making it easier to coordinate from a distance.

Consider Individual Strengths and Skills

Each sibling brings different strengths. Some may excel at managing finances or handling medical appointments, while others at offering emotional support or helping with daily tasks. Assign tasks based on what each person does best. Playing to each other’s strengths can make caregiving more efficient and less stressful for everyone involved.

Factor in Geographic Proximity

Siblings who live closer to your parents may handle more hands-on tasks like grocery shopping or attending appointments. Those farther away can still contribute by managing finances or researching care options. Maintaining a fair balance ensures that everyone plays a part, regardless of distance.

Be Flexible and Adaptable

Life changes, and so do caregiving needs. Be ready to adjust responsibilities as situations change, whether due to job shifts, health issues, or personal emergencies. Flexibility is key to a smooth caregiving arrangement.

Set Clear Expectations and Boundaries

Define each sibling’s role early on to prevent misunderstandings and resentment. Discuss how often each person will help, which tasks they’ll handle (medication management, transportation, meal preparation, etc.), and how you’ll communicate. Establishing boundaries helps prevent burnout, and regular check-ins ensure tasks remain manageable for everyone.

Acknowledge and Appreciate Contributions

Show gratitude for your siblings’ efforts, whether big or small. Acknowledging each person’s contribution fosters teamwork and creates a positive environment for caregiving.

Practice Empathy and Understanding

Caregiving is stressful, and everyone handles it differently. Be empathetic and open-minded toward your siblings’ feelings and perspectives, even when they differ from yours. Avoid judgment or criticism and focus on common goals and solutions that benefit your parents.

Address Financial Concerns Transparently

Caregiving can be expensive, so discuss finances openly. Address shared expenses, such as medical bills, in-home care costs, or home modifications. Consider each sibling’s financial situation and ability to contribute and explore available financial resources or assistance programs. Transparency ensures everyone feels their contributions are respected.

Seek Outside Support

Finally, don’t hesitate to seek help when needed. This could include hiring a professional care manager to coordinate care, attending family counseling sessions to address communication challenges or conflicts, or joining a support group for caregivers to connect with others facing similar situations.

 

If you need help managing your parents’ finances or have questions about long-term care insurance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our experts are here for you.

 

Content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal or financial advice. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of WesBanco.

While we hope you find this content useful, it is only intended to serve as a starting point. Your next step is to speak with a qualified, licensed professional who can provide advice tailored to your individual circumstances. Nothing in this article, nor in any associated resources, should be construed as financial or legal advice. Furthermore, while we have made good faith efforts to ensure that the information presented was correct as of the date the content was prepared, we are unable to guarantee that it remains accurate today.