Sibling Issues in Caregiving

Issues between siblings often seem to come to a head when a parent begins requiring care. Use these pointers to improve communication skills, minimize dysfunction and recognize when it’s time to set boundaries with toxic siblings.

When one sibling does all the caregiving for aging parents, it often breeds tension and resentment. Take an objective look at your siblings’ reasons for staying at arm’s length and learn how you can get everyone on the same page.

My elderly mother has dementia. How do I get my siblings to stop fighting me about moving mom to assisted living? We are at a standstill.

While MIA siblings are the overwhelming norm, some families have very different experiences. This article offers a glimpse into another perspective on caregiving: that oft maligned long-distance siblings may actually be excluded by primary caregivers.

Caregiving responsibilities are seldom distributed among adult children equally. Use these communication techniques to convey the gravity of this role and convince your siblings to help care for your aging parents.

Relationships are often strained when a serious illness and caregiving enter the picture. But, if your interactions with certain relatives are increasingly stressful and negative, it may be time to shut down family drama once and for all.

My youngest sister died at the age of 63. The diagnosis - lung cancer. Sally did not get cancer from smoking; she got it from radon.

A caregiver explores how she let go of anger, resentment and jealousy toward her siblings that was damaging her family relationships and hindering her ability to care for her aging parents.

Patty Andrews, the last member of the singing group, the Andrews Sisters, has died. Her unresolved conflict with her sisters offers a lesson in why you should always forgive your siblings.

Adult children often refuse to accept that their parents are getting older, leading some to avoid participating in their care. Primary caregivers can use these tips to help their siblings embrace the reality of their parents’ current and future needs.

When siblings can’t agree on an elderly parent’s care needs, it might be time to bring in an objective third party to help resolve differences.

When a sibling begins emphasizing cost reduction and the provision of unpaid care, it usually means they aren’t interested in what’s best for their parents or even what’s fair to the primary caregiver. Instead, they’re more concerned about financial gain.

Ohhh, how I wish I’d had a caring sister like you! First, realize that family caregivers often endure prolonged stress that can compromise their physical and mental health... Click to read Jacqueline's full answer.

Getting uninvolved siblings to help you care for your aging parents can be one of the most frustrating aspects of caregiving. Instead of letting anger get the best of you, try to change your perspective and get creative with how you ask for assistance.

Despite a trend towards a more gender-balanced population of family caregivers, most are still women. When it comes to caring for aging parents, daughters and daughters-in-law provide more hours of help—and suffer the consequences.

Amy Grant, the best-selling Christian music performer in history, shares how she and her family find solace while witnessing the decline of two parents with dementia.

New research shows that unhelpful stepfamily members can increase caregiver stress astronomically. Here are some tips for keeping the peace during difficult discussions.

Power of attorney forms are a crucial part of planning for future health care needs and financial decisions, but it is important to understand how these legal documents can be drafted and the effects they can have on family relationships.

Most seniors can’t cover the monthly costs of assisted living on their own. How do families decide whether adult children should financially contribute to their parents' care, and, if they do, who pays how much?

Caregivers often don't ask family members for the help they need, for fear of conflict. Here's how to get them to help you with your elderly mother and father and maintain the peace.