As your parents age, an important topic among siblings is how to care for them. It’s common for disagreements to arise about what course of action to take, but resolutions should be found to avoid creating a tense environment for the family. To help you provide the best elderly care for your mother or father, see this brief guide for advice on how to deal with conflicts that could come up.

Issues That Can Arise

Many responsibilities come with taking care of a senior parent, and it may be challenging trying to divide these between siblings. There could be a debate about who does the housecleaning, runs errands, and keeps track of doctor appointments. Finances can also lead to arguments regarding hiring an in-home nurse, considering senior living, and how to manage your parents' money. This can be a sensitive topic if some siblings aren’t able to afford certain expenses out of pocket.  

There’s also the possibility that most of the duties fall on one child. This can happen to the brother or sister who lives nearby or has a closer relationship with a parent. Elderly care is a monumental obligation for one person to assume, and the stress can lead to strain on family relationships and greater discord.    

How to Resolve Disagreements

While it can be challenging to come up with a plan that’s best for your parents, there are ways you and your siblings can navigate these conversations. Having regular discussions that include the entire family gives everyone a chance to express their needs. Roles can be switched up, other tasks divided, and you can point out what is and isn’t working. If it’s too difficult to talk with family members and arguments erupt, consider having a mediator moderate these meetings to keep matters civil and calm. 

Siblings should also recognize when elderly care becomes too challenging. When parents' health declines or family members can’t dedicate as much time attending to their mother or father, it can be beneficial to talk about bringing in an in-home caregiver to take on certain responsibilities and alleviate stress.    

If you or a loved one needs help with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) which includes meal preparation, light housekeeping, toileting and bathing, trust the professionals at Deer Valley Home Health Services in St. Louis, MO. There’s also the option of arranging for private duty nurse visits, if you do not qualify for Medicaid. Call (314) 355-3679 to discuss your specific needs, or visit them online to learn more about their services.