When it comes to the care of your mom or dad, nothing is more rewarding than coming together as a family to offer support and help. However, if you and your siblings decide to band together to serve as caregivers, problems can arise in your family dynamics, the care schedule, and the equal distribution of caregiver tasks.
For example, if one sibling pulls their weight more than the others, it might cause resentment toward their siblings and their responsibilities, hindering the caregiving journey. In any situation where siblings must work together for the health and safety of a parent, it’s important to check in regularly, come up with a care plan that fits the schedule and abilities of each, and remember what truly matters – the health of a loved one.
At Claiborne Senior Living, our team is here to provide compassionate care and exceptional services for individuals and families. We’re sharing some tips that can help make it easier for you and your siblings to delegate caregiving tasks and responsibilities amongst each other.
Establish a Primary Caregiver
While it’s important to delegate responsibilities equally among your siblings, establishing one person to serve as a primary caregiver is beneficial.
There naturally tends to be one person to take the lead in any caregiving situation, whether checking in on a parent, managing medications, running errands on their behalf, or simply spending time with them. This role might be best for the sibling who lives closest to Mom or Dad or who doesn’t have a demanding schedule that could get in the way of providing care.
However, just because one sibling has taken on this role, you should delegate days for the primary caregiver to have a break; this is where setting up a strong schedule of responsibilities is important.
Discuss Responsibilities
By defining the caregiver tasks that your parent needs to remain safe and supported, you and your siblings can determine the kind of care that is needed now, what will be needed in the future, and who can handle specific tasks and responsibilities.
Each sibling should take on tasks best suited to their skills and abilities so that everyone’s efforts complement each other and result in exceptional care.
Focus on Strengths and Weaknesses
Before delegating any specific tasks, take a moment to uncover the strengths and weaknesses of each sibling that can either be beneficial – or a hindrance.
For example:
- Who is the most organized? This sibling can keep track of appointments, medications, etc.
- Who is the best with finances and/or money management? This person can pay bills, manage accounts, etc.
- Who has the best (or worst) time management? If one sibling is always running late, they shouldn’t be responsible for taking Mom to appointments.
The goal is to assign caregiver tasks that align with each sibling’s capabilities and expertise.
Communicate Regularly
When a parent requires assistance and care, the family dynamics shift, and adjusting can be hard The same goes for your relationship with your siblings as you proceed with your caregiver tasks and responsibilities.
As a result, communication is crucial to ensure each sibling feels heard and appreciated. For instance, if you feel you are doing the bulk of the work, talk to them about your feelings. If you let them go unspoken, it can harm your relationships with your siblings, as well as the quality of care you provide.
Foster compassion for each of your siblings as you are all facing the same challenges together.
When to Consider Assisted Living
There might come a time when you and your siblings are simply unequipped to provide the care your parent needs. In this case, it’s best to be honest about your inability to serve as a caregiver in order to find the best way to proceed.
At Claiborne Senior Living, our expert team is prepared to help you decide the best course of action regarding the care of your parent. From minimal assistance to 24/7 support, our services are designed to meet the unique needs of every individual, and you can rest assured that our team is here to help your parent live a full and enriching life.
