Home care is a wonderful service for aging adults who need assistance with daily tasks but wish to remain in the comfort of their own homes. Figuring out who should be the primary provider of care for an aging parent is far too frequently a cause of stress and can sometimes create conflict among siblings. Let’s examine some of the common problems and solutions when it comes to handling sibling conflict regarding home care.
Costs of Home Care
Problem – Siblings sometimes disagree over who will pay for home care services. Some siblings argue it should be divided equally, while others contend those with greater resources should chip in more.
Solution – First, siblings should know there are options available to fund home care, and the family should examine these options. Once you all know exactly how much it will cost, set aside a time to discuss finances with each other and with your parent to see how much you each have to contribute to home care services.
Hurt Feelings
Problem – Some siblings mistakenly feel as though they’re being replaced by an in-home caregiver and may begin to feel unneeded or distant from their parent.
Solution – A professional and experienced caregiver will make sure to keep all lines of communication open, reminding siblings that they can and should still be present as often as possible in their parent’s life. Also, let distressed siblings know that professional senior care services will allow greater peace of mind that comes from knowing they’ll no longer need to shoulder all the home care responsibilities.
Sometimes it can be challenging for family members to find the time for caregiving duties. In these cases, the siblings may want to consider hiring a professional caregiver. Home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Embrace In-Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. Our caregivers encourage seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
Distrust
Problem – A sibling doesn’t trust a home caregiver to provide the emotional and physical care his or her parent needs.
Solution – If you hire a reputable caregiver, you’ll have peace of mind knowing he or she is experienced and trained and has passed multiple background checks and a psychological exam to check for integrity and honesty. In-home caregivers tend to all of your parent’s needs—emotional, physical, mental, and social—to ensure a high quality of life.
Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality in-home care. Green Valley families trust Embrace In-Home Care to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably.
Resentment
Problem – In some families, a parent may have always favored a particular child. As an adult, that child may assume the role of caregiver. However, if one child takes on all or most of the caregiving responsibilities, he or she may become overwhelmed and experience burnout, which could cause resentment toward the other siblings.
Solution – When a senior needs assistance, all the children should meet and discuss ways to handle the situation. A favorite child could play the key caregiving role. Siblings who aren’t the primary caregiver can help by doing some of the shopping or accompanying the senior to appointments. All the children could collectively share the financial responsibility for caregiving for the older relative.
The primary caregiver could try respite care as a caregiving option when other family members aren’t available. There are a variety of reasons family caregivers should consider respite care. Green Valley, AZ, families often have additional responsibilities that make it more challenging to provide the care their senior loved ones need and deserve. A professional respite caregiver can take over your important caregiving duties, allowing you more time to focus on yourself. If you need professional home care for your loved one, Embrace In-Home Care is just a phone call away. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (520) 625-2050.