La Jolla Senior Care News

Caregiver Struggles: Criticism from Your Siblings About Care Decisions

Home Care in La Costa CA: Many people suspect that if you have siblings, you automatically have an easier time caring for an elderly parent. You might think that because you have these siblings, the workload will be evenly divided and you will not face as many difficulties or as much stress.
Home Care in La Costa CA: Senior Care Decisions Struggles
Home Care in La Costa CA: Senior Care Decisions Struggles

Many people suspect that if you have siblings, you automatically have an easier time caring for an elderly parent. You might think that because you have these siblings, the workload will be evenly divided and you will not face as many difficulties or as much stress.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. You may find that you are siblings are quick to criticize the decisions that you make about your parents care. This can be frustrating and upsetting, and contribute to your caregiver stress. Handling this criticism from your siblings in an effective way is an important part of not only ensuring that you’re aging loved one will get the level of care and support that they need and deserve, but also that you are able to preserve your mental and emotional health and well-being throughout your care experience with them.

 

Use these tips to help you handle criticism from your siblings about care decisions for your parents:

 

Acknowledge the criticism. If you hear your sibling criticizing you, or hear that they have been criticizing you, acknowledge it. Confront them about what you have heard or what they said and give them the opportunity to explain themselves. You may find that what you thought of as a criticism they did not mean that way. Clearing up this misunderstanding can reduce stress, preserve family relationships, and start a dialogue about the care that your parent needs.

 

Explain your parent’s needs. If your sibling is not involved in your parents care, they might not be fully aware of your senior’s needs, and therefore not be able to accurately evaluate the care decisions that you make. Sit down with your sibling and be clear with them about your parent’s needs and why you have made the decisions that you have. Getting this explanation can clarify the situation for your sibling and change their perspective.

 

Welcome their input. Ask your sibling how they would handle the situation. Encourage them to tell you the decision that they would have made and why. When presented with this, they may find that they don’t have a better explanation or way to handle the situation. If they do, evaluate it and either implement into your care or be clear with your sibling as to why this is not the right choice for your parents.

 

Give them some experience. Tell your sibling that they can take over care for your parent for a day or two. By putting them in the situation that you are in regularly, you can illustrate the challenges that you face and better demonstrate to them why you have made the decisions that you have. Even if this does not change your sibling’s mind, it can open better dialogue and give you the opportunity to request that they help you more, either through them being there with your parent more often, or arranging for senior care.

 

-Starting senior care for your aging parent can be one of the best decisions that you can make for them during the course of your caregiver journey with them. A senior home care services provider can be with your aging parent on a customized schedule to ensure that they get the care, support, assistance, and encouragement that they need in order to live the highest quality of life possible as they age in place.

The highly personalized services of an in-home senior care services provider are specifically tailored toward your parent as an individual, meaning that they will get the care that is right for them to support a lifestyle that is as healthy, safe, comfortable, independent, and active as possible throughout their later years. As a family caregiver, this can give you a tremendous sense of peace of mind knowing that your parent is in the best hands both when you are with them and when you are not.

 

For more information about Home Care in La Costa, CA, call the friendly caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare who can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, at 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.

Brittnei Salerno

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