When an aging parent begins to need more support with the activities of daily life, family tensions can heat up. The adult child who lives closest usually bears the burden of care. Siblings who live further away often refuse to accept how much care a parent requires because they don’t see them as often. It can cause conflicts that sometimes lead to permanent damage in family relationships.
How Can North Texas Families Keep Sibling Conflicts From Boiling Over?
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Respect the primary caregiver. One sibling, usually the oldest daughter or the daughter who lives closest, generally becomes the primary caregiver. Siblings who are less involved often feel guilty for not pulling their weight. Ironically, these siblings sometimes respond by becoming overly critical of the primary caregiver. If you aren’t the primary caregiver, keep this in mind. Unless you are going to find a way to be more hands-on with your parent’s care, keep disparaging comments to yourself. Be kind to and respectful of the sibling who is doing their best to care for your parent.
- Be realistic about your parent’s needs. Adult children who live further away often deny how much a parent’s health has deteriorated. They make statements such as, “I wish I had known how bad she was.” Doing so can create bad feelings among siblings. Try to keep the conversation focused on how your parent is today and what tasks and errands need to be done right now to support your parent.
- Make your parent’s best interest top priority. Every sibling probably has his or her own idea about what is best for an aging parent. In order to work together, you need to be willing to listen and keep an open mind. Try to set old sibling rivalries aside and work together to decide what is best for your parent.
- Honor your parent’s wishes. Many families start searching for a senior living community without involving their parent. If your parent is able to give input, let them. Their buy-in will be especially important if the senior care solution will require them to make a major life change.biased guidance. Sometimes families are just too close to the situation to come to an agreement about what type of care a parent needs or who should provide the care. Seeking the advice of a Senior Care Advisor who can assess your parent’s needs and find a care partner you can trust can be the best solution.
If you are searching for senior care in the Dallas or Fort Worth areas, we can help. Senior Living Specialists is a free service for seniors and their families. We are compensated by a referral fee when a senior moves into a community or care home. Contact us today or call us at 214-929-5055 to learn more.
